
ROSWELL RICE Esq. 



ORATIONS AND POETRY, 



ON 



MORAL AM) RELIGIOUS SUBJECTS. 



BY ROSWELL RICE, ESQ-, 

North Whitecreek, Washington county, N. Y. 



ALBANY: 

C. VAN BENTHUYSEN, PRINTER. 



0^ 



^^H«' 



Entered according^ to act of Congress, in the Clerk's office 

of the Northern District of New -York, 

By RoswellRice, Esq. 



In £|ccluuig«. 
Sep 2 8 1916 



Stereotyped by C Van Benthtttsen. 



ORATORICAL INTRODUCTION. 



I was born in the year 1803, in the town of White- 
creek, Washington county, New-York, in which 
place I have resided ever since. My parents were 
born in the state of Connecticut, and emigrated in 
early life to the place of my nativity. From the days 
of my infancy, much of my pilgrimage has been a 
scene of suffering. When about a year old my life 
was despaired of, and I was to all appearance near 
the grave ; but God said " Live," and I was restor- 
ed to health. Again I was stricken with disease at 
the age of eight years ; delirium seized my brain, 
and the night of death seemed to be just before me ; 
but God in his abundant mercy rebuked the disease. 
By the imprudence of youthful ambition, when about 
fifteen years of age, I struck the fatal blow, which 
gave me a wound nature's sweet restorer can never 
heal. Then earthly bliss expired — the diadem of 
youth passed away, and the doleful scourge bound 
me in the gloom of night. The pains of an injured 
body and a vile heart weighed down my spirit, and 
the shroud of moral darkness spread over me ; for I 
had trespassed on the laws of my physical constitu- 
tion, and the consequences were and must be sure. 
While I meditated on my sad condition, I could 
neither enjoy earth or heaven. 

My mother, (now resting in the sepulchre) was a 
friend to her children, her Savior, and God. Her 
religious instructions in my early days, often aroused 
my memory, and the consciousness of my situation, 
and the necessity of a Savior, induced me to seek 
the salvation of my soul, and lay up my treasure in 
God. I met my Savior in Gethsemane, where he 



4 ORATOKICAL INTRODUCTION. 

sweat blood for sinners, and to the foot of Mount 
Calvary, where he redeemed my soul. Here the 
strong chord which had bound sin as a heavy burdea 
upon me, broke in sunder, and the mountain of guilt 
that pressed heavily on my soul, was washed away 
by the crimson stream that stained the brow of Cal- 
vary. My heart melted as I felt the love of Jesus, 
and my soul rejoiced in God my Savior. 

My frame was gradually sinking under the stroke 
I had brought upon it, and to all appearance I was 
soon to sleep in death. The physicians pronounced 
my disease mortal, and the direful sensations caused 
by the organic affection near the seat of life, con- 
firmed their opinion, in my estimation, Avith more 
than tenfold sanction. I had taken my farewell of 
the world, and made up my mind to die. My phy- 
sical constitution was sinking under its intolerable 
load ; sudden paroxysms seized me, under the in- 
fluence of which the tide of blood turned purple, 
caused by some obstruction in the aorta, the direful 
sensations of which indicated sudden dissolution. 
That dismal scene, which threatened with all the 
horrors of death, I shall never be able to describe 
to my reader — the like of which, may God prevent 
ever thwarting his pathway. After being confined 
to my bed for more than a year, my disease gradu- 
ally gave way to the restoring efficacy of my con- 
stitution, and at the expiration of five years my 
health was in part restored, so that I have been most 
of the time since able to attend to some of the easy 
avocations of life for a livelihood ; yet I am still af- 
flicted with the same disease, and never while in 
the body shall I enjoy good health again. Here 
lost hope rides forth in gloomy prospect, and weans 
the soul from all earth's fading flowers. 

When in the midst of my aflliction, my mother 
(one of the kindest of women) watched my couch, 
and gave me all the consolation maternal kindness 
could impart. To her it must have been a tiresome 



OEATORICAL INTRODUCTION. d 

scene ; but patience performed its office to the last 
request. My elder sister also lent her aid in time 
of danger, and in the tenderness of her heart often 
administered to my necessities. All my relatives 
exhibited their kindness, and labored abundantly for 
my temporal welfare. Through my sore and linger- 
ing illness, I had no disposition to repine, but placed 
my confidence in God, who had power to wound and 
heal, to kill and make alive. Since that time He 
has blest my basket and my store, and often im- 
parted the riches of his grace to my soul. 

I have written the following work, not for earthly 
gain, but for the temporal and eternal welfare of 
mankind. The infidel may insult his only Benefac- 
tor by denying his existence, but my soul shall give 
honor to the Creator and Preserver of all worlds ; 
who has sustained me to this present moment, and 
will be my shield and defence in being eternal fu- 
ture. And to God my heavenly Father, Christ my 
only Savior, and the Holy Ghost my Sanctifier, one 
triune Deity, I will ascribe all praise, dominion and 
power, henceforth forever ! Whose favor I sincerely 
implore to accompany this volume I am preparing 
for the inspection of the world ! may it melt the 
frozen heart, and lead the poor wandering sinner to 
repentance, hope, and Heaven ! console the chris- 
tian ! stir up the lukewarm professor, and lead him 
to the Rock of his salvation, 

April 1, 1849. 



ORATION I. 
ON INTEMPERANCE. 

" Drunkards shall not mherit the kingdom of Goi."— Corinthians vi 10. 



Man, ever since his fall in the garden of Eden, 
has been inspired with a spirit of deviation from 
righteousness, which often increases his misery. 
His imaginations are only evil continually — laying 
structures of wretchedness and wo ; and hewing out 
vessels that can hold no water. Such is his digres- 
sion from the requirements of God, that he is a stran- 
ger to virtue, and lies buried in the open field of his 
pollution. But among all his wicked inventions, 
King Alcohol is the topmost stone. 

This Monster of Death, in his various forms, has 
marked our Union with blood and tears — has spread 
his wings far and wide — has poisoned even unto 
death America's sons, and hurried them on to the 
drunkard's grave. But unwilling to stop here in his 
march of wo, he has made his slaughter universal, 
and scarce a continent, or island on the globe, but 
has felt the direful influence, and more or less have 
fallen victims to this Juggernaut wheel of death. 
Such has been the reign of this mighty Tyrant, that 
many of the brightest stars have fallen from their 
high stations, and been transmitted to the grave of 
oblivion — 'their light forever eclipsed, and their utility 
lost to the world. Such has been the devastation 
of this baneful enemy, that he has laid prostrate all 
ranks of society, and converted millions upon mil- 
lions to the baneful practice of inebriation ; and 
ingulfed them in the perdition of one common 
grave. 




ON INTEMPERANCE. 7 

But from whence came this black cloud of wit- 
nesses ? From what ranks arose this mighty army 
of inebriates ? They were made from the society of 
sober men. Man was never born a drunkard. When 
he was created by the finger of God, he bore a bet- 
ter stamp, and possessed the pure features of man. 
His red eyes and bloated face, have been gradually 
manufactured by the evil practice of drinking rum. 
At first the captive took small portions of the bane ; 
but long habits increased the draughts, until at length 
he became established in his course, and fell a sad 
victim to his enemy. This is the way in which so 
many fall a prey to Alcohol, and make shipwreck 
of their better part, on the rocks of perdition. If 
this be true, it becomes every man to guard against 
this deadly foe. 

How often have Ave seen men possessing abun- 
dance of the affluence of this world — in good stand- 
ing in society — enjoying life, and permitting their 
wives and children to enjoy the same blessing ; 
every thing appeared prosperous around them ; and 
their anticipation of future glory in this life was as 
clear as the limpid stream. The welfare of these 
individuals had not yet been buried by Intemper- 
ance. But soon they began to tamper with the spark- 
ling bowl ; and its deadly poison, like mortal canker, 
preyed upon their constitutions. The strong man 
became palsied ; and began to reel to and fro under 
the influence of the scourging waves. Their frail 
barks were now tossing on the tempestuous sea of 
life — at last their vessels sprung leak, and foundered 
in liquid flames. But they did not fall alone. If 
so, their case had been more tolerable. But the 
wailings of their wives and children were heard 
after their departure ; for all the legacy they left 
them was extreme poverty and disgrace. This is 
the curse which follows the bacchanalian through 
all his meanderings in life, down to his gloomy sep- 
ulchre. This is the sin that swells the groans of 



8 rice's orations. 

his offspring ; and. long tells their woes by his re- 
cords of infamy. 

The sweet boon of life that stands higher in the 
estimation of man than any other gift bestowed, is 
often taken away ere its meridian glory, by the early 
habits of Intemperance. That eye which sparkled, 
with youthful lustre, has lost all its brilliant splen- 
dor ! That lovely brow on which sat the diadem 
of youth, has been struck with untimely mildew. 
The whole visage which once bore the beauties of 
sanity, has become bloated and lost its healthy ap- 
pearance. The constitutional powers of man have 
been wrecked on this tempestuous sea of life, and 
bear the prognostication of soon finding a watery 
grave. Thus King Alcohol proves himself to be a 
baneful enemy, and has often destroyed both soul 
and body in hell. This is the rock, on which thou- 
sands split ;. and their frail barks plunge the awful 
cataract of death, never to rise again. 

But the losses by Intemperance do not end here ; 
for they are almost supernumerary, and past the de- 
scription of man. But this one thing we know, that 
however bright the talent of genius may be — how- 
ever luminous the lamp may shine in the pure atmos- 
phere of reason ; yet if the cloud of this mortal ene- 
my shall rest upon it, there shall be no breaking of 
the thick darkness ; but a long, dreary night shall 
set in upon the unhappy captive forever. Whoso- 
ever is overcome by this poisonous enemy, loses all 
things. His time to him becomes of no estimation ; 
his character is stamped with disgrace ; his confed- 
erates are the offscouring of all things ; and his 
beastly appearance shuts the gate of mercy, and 
staggers the commiseration of man. Such are the 
^imprecations upon him, such his degradation in the 
society he lives. The element in which he moves 
is poisoned by his noxious breath ; and he spreads 
malignant contagion, wheresoever he leaves his 
meandering vestige. Although this deformed being 



ON INTEMPERANCE. 9 

is enough to make human nature shudder, and is 
deprived of all form of comeliness ; yet man by na- 
ture is so involved in the mire of sin, that he often 
catches the same infamous spirit — enlists in the same 
ranks — fights the same battles of iniquity, and 
marches onward to the same grave. This tells the 
vv^oes of man's gloomy history, and proves God's sa- 
cred volume true. 

Men and women were designed by their Creator 
to be helpmates for each other, and increase their 
happiness through life's dreary pilgrimage. Woman, 
the fairest gem that ever graced the brow of man— ^ 
the fairest boon that ever nature's God imparted to 
solace him as he passes through this waste howling 
wilderness, fraught with disappointments, sickness 
and death. This rich jewel should be esteemed by 
him to possess infinite value, and be the mainspring- 
of his happiness while on earth. But oh ! how 
changed ? What frantic inversion of this gift of 
God to man ? When an individual is under the 
influence of strong drink, he loses his natural affec- 
tions ; his mind becomes insane and revengeful — 
he exchanges his noble powers for those of the fero- 
cious Tiger ; and darts with the fury of a madman 
on his innocent prey. His beloved companion, 
whose heart has often been broken in ten thousand 
pieces, receives again the lash of his anger, and the 
doleful execrations that fall from his polluted lips. 
She is truly a woman of sorrow, and always acquaint- 
ed with grief. The tears which have for years run 
down her cheeks, have left their furrowed channel, 
and vindicate without contradiction her long and 
gloomy sufferings. She little expects relief until the 
monster of iniquity is removed by death. Then the 
hand that often beat her, shall be cold and lifeless ; 
that heart which rose to anger, shall palpitate no 
more ; that tongue which uttered imprecations against 
her,- shall be palsied by the embrace of death; 



10 eice's orations. 

and all his ill-treatment shall be terminated for- 
ever. 

But the wife of his bosom is not the only sufferer. 
Those children of his own body have shared in his 
ruin. Often have they waited his return from the 
tavern or grog-shop with trembling. As he entered 
his dwelling they would cling around their mother 
for protection, so if possible they might evade his 
cruel treatment and shield themselves from the in- 
human lashes of their father's anger. But they often 
sought refuge in vain ; for he pursued them through 
every lane of retreat, and seldom missed his track 
until he had satiated his infernal malice on these 
little innocents of his own body. In whatever place 
he lived he possessed the spirit of a demon ; and 
proved to be an enemy to himself and also to his 
fellow man. 

Perhaps I shall not digress, if I here mention the 
circumstances of a criminal on the scaffold of death. 
He was in the days of his youth, and the meridian 
of life he never saw. The crime that caused his 
early exit, was the murder of his bosom friend — that 
innocent female, which he once promised in the 
presence of angels and men, to befriend through 
life. But he broke his vow, and butchered the dear- 
est friend he had on earth. While under the influ- 
ence of the liquid poison, in an unguarded moment, 
when all his humane feelings forsook him, his pas- 
sions were raised to the highest point of madness — 
he basely drew the poniard of death and pierced her 
heart. Then hung the sword of vengeance over his 
guilty head ! Then the howling winds caught the 
mournful elegy, and bore it to the four quarters of 
the globe, while the demon of eternal night swiftly 
winged his way to bear the news to the regions of 
the damned, that the servant of King Alcohol had 
been valiant in the work of death ! This cruel 
murderer was taught by his parents in early life to 
partake of the noxious cup, until he was captivated 



ON INTEMPERANCE. 11 

by its influence. He exclaimed in the last moments 
of his life, " It was the influence of strong drink 
that brought me to this place of execution." And 
after admonishing the vast multitude around him to 
flee from it as they would from their greatest enemy, 
he gave himself up to the executioner, and imme- 
diately expired. 

In almost every case, capital crimes are commit- 
ted by those who are under the influence of strong 
drink. It has a tendency to drive away fear and 
induces man to perpetrate deeds of the blackest 
dye, such as would make him shudder in his sober 
moments, and marvel to think, how he could have 
been the vile perpetrator. I presume that nine- 
tenths of those criminals which now throng the pri- 
sons of our United States, have riveted their chains 
while under the influence of intoxication. Our coun- 
ty houses of pauperism, and jails for criminals, 
would be like the comet's long absence ; and the 
voice of sedition seldom be used, if this bane of 
man could be transmitted to oblivion's grave. The 
riots in our streets, would seldom break in upon the 
peace of man. Those unnecessary factions, that so 
often draw wealth from our citizens, would be few 
and far between. Our cities and hamlets would be 
left tranquil ; and instead of the imprecations of 
wicked inebriates, peace and rejoicing would swell 
the temperance song, and messengers of mercy would 
bear the news to earth's remotest bounds : " The 
dead are alive, the lost are found." 

The unmarried females in the cause of tempe- 
rance, are most powerful in operation. It is for them 
to say how long the scourge shall remain ; and when 
the proud waves of Intemperance shall be stayed. 
There are very few women in comparison to men, 
who have formed habits of intoxication ; therefore 
for them there is no cross in total abstinence. And 
when we consider the powerful influence they have 
over the male population, we are led to believe that 



12 niCE's ORATIONS. 

m them is the remedy of healing this baneful dis- 
ease. But how shall the operation begin? Let 
every young lady shun the company of every young 
man, who does not belong to the tee-total pledge. 
Let her look well to this matter, that she be not de- 
ceived, that the hypocrisy of man does not blast her 
comfort in future life, and wound that heart which 
is worthy of a sober man. And if after having 
obtained a knowledge of the individual, he has been 
found to break the pledge, or has never signed it, 
then put thy veto upon him, and receive his com- 
pany no more until he becomes a temperate man. 
If this were the practice by all the young ladies, in 
a very few years there would scarcely be a drunkard 
on the gbbe. This practice would doubtless save 
oceans of tears, and dry up the fountain of iniquity 
that has long swelled the woes of the human race. 

It is a mournful truth, that we have so many 
among us who manufacture drunkards, who for a 
little paltry gain, will administer potions of intoxi- 
cation to their fellow men, which are as sure to 
make inebriates as the river is to find its way to the 
ocean. Notwithstanding all the entreaties of the 
heart-broken wife, the groans and wailings of her 
suffering children, the poverty and privations under 
which they mourn, and the beastly appearance of 
him who staggers to and fro in the streets, these 
dealers in Alcohol will yet. for the love of gold, sell 
to their brethren the baneful Upas tree, and keep 
up the stool-pigeons of mortal attraction, that they 
may destroy the unwary, and feast on the purchase 
of their blood. But their recompense is yet to come. 

The most horrible appearance of the drunkard on 
earth, is when he is under the influence of Delirium 
Tremens. Here his woes are indescribable, and his 
misery passes all bounds of human understanding ! 
The flood-gates of inebriation, that have for many 
3'ears broken in upon his constitution, seem now to 
be concentrated in one general flood of suflferings 



ON INTEMPERANCE. 13 

and pierce his soul and body, with horrors not to be 
repeated, or ever forgotten ! As much of hell as is 
possible for man to experience on earth, has inspired 
his bosom ; for his frantic imaginations are intolera- 
ble beyond conception ; and the thoughts of his 
wounded spirit no tongue can tell ! His forebodings 
of sorrow have stung his deathless soul, and pierced 
him with barbed arrows, drawn from the quiver of 
the Eternal. How often does the sufferer under 
this most wretched disease, have a foretaste of his 
future destiny — believes that devils are forcing him 
away to the lake of fire — that the pit of awful per- 
dition expands its fiery jaws to receive him, and the 
thunder bolts of God pour forth their cargoes of 
death before he is borne away by demons to the 
" blackness of darkness forever." The veil of the 
eternal pit seems to him withdrawn ; and he beholds 
his destiny, ere he plunges his second death ! This 
mournful sight melts the hardest heart, and draws 
tears from eyes that seldom weep. 

The drunkard's course is gloomy in the extreme. 
He plunges himself into the pollution of the gutter — 
he gives himself up to all the propensities of a wick- 
ed heart — he is unconscious of to-morrow ; yet wails 
his sufferings in the gall of bitterness, and increases 
his strong bonds of iniquity. At first he has no 
expectation of being captivated by the flowing bowl, 
but increases the draught until he is overcome by 
its alluring charms. His unlawful appetite and vo- 
luntary passions yield themselves up to the dominion 
of this cruel Monster, in spite of all the warnings 
and admonitions of scripture, the remorse of con- 
science, the tears and agonies of friends, the loss of 
health, the swift approach of poverty, the prognostic 
of death, and the prelibation of the ruins of hell ! 

Let us now behold for a moment what friendship 
is broken by Intemperance ! what veneration lost ! 
How often has strong drink exterminated connubial 
friendship, and excluded the strong union of pater- 



14 rice's orations. 

nal love ? How many husbands, who once exhibit- 
ed the tenderest affection for their wives, have re- 
versed it for inebriation ? How many wives, once 
pleasing and well beloved, have changed the bright- 
ness of their persons and their characters into shame 
and disgrace, brought ruin to their doors, and set 
forth to their children the crimsoned laws of sin ? 
How many children, once dutiful and pleasing, have, 
by frequent participation of strong drink, lost all 
affection to their parents, and become a nuisance to 
society ? To compute the v/hole in one short sen- 
tence — those who are under the influence of strong 
drink — the husband is turned into a brute, the wife 
a serpent, the parent a monster of iniquity, the friend 
an enemy of holiness, and the child a son to be 
lost. 

With what regret do we see the most refined cha- 
racters, talents, and strong powers, destroyed by 
this abortive ruin ? How dismal, to view the ex- 
panded buds of genius blasted by the fatal energy 
of intoxication ! But, ala&iioo often are such in- 
stances displayed in their darkest colors. Men of 
the brightest talents and most cunning genius, pos- 
sessing the highest ranks in society, have fallen 
from their stations, and been reduced to fanaticism 
and penury. 

I have seen the most athletic constitution brought 
to imbecility. I have seen more than one promising 
youth, whose behavior bid fair for usefulness to so- 
ciety, ensnared by this insidious enemy, and become 
a most insignificant profligate. Those ej^es that once 
sparkled with all the beauty and vigor of youth, had 
lost their brilliant splendor. The mind, naturally 
quick and active, had lost its lively tone. The mem- 
ory, once strong, had become Avavering and deceit- 
ful ; and all the shoots of genius were rapidly pining 
away. At length the youth descended into the low- 
est depths of inebriation, and lost his morality for- 
ever. 



ON INTEMPERANCE. 15 

When I meditate on such instances as have been 
related ; when I think of the vast number of supe- 
rior minds that have been destroyed by Intemper- 
ance ; I cannot but compare them with ancient Jeru- 
salem, now trodden under foot of men. As I sur- 
veyed, I beheld the magnificent Temple, once the 
beauty of the world — her foundations were shaken, 
and not one stone left upon another unmoved. Her 
pillars of architectural grandeur were destroyed, 
according to prediction ; her veil was rent, and all 
her magnificent beauty fell into abolition. Such 
is the temple of man, when subdued by his deadly 
foe. 

The drunkard's career is on the broad road to 
ruin. The stream in which he firsts embarks may 
appear small and but little dangerous ; yet it emp- 
ties into a boundless ocean, and conveys her vo- 
taries to the wailings of the second death ! The 
intemperate are seldom reclaimed. Their condi- 
tion is almost hopeless ; for when they begin their 
voyage, they seldom cease, until they launch in- 
to the dark profundity obscure, from whence no 
traveller returns. Their consciences are seared 
with perfect inveteracy ; they bid defiance to all 
men, although admonished with deepest commisera- 
tion and sensitive gratitude. They are governed by 
an enemy that knows of no condescension ; who is 
fettering them stronger and stronger to that hold, 
which shall prove a baseless fabric, sinking beneath 
her builders, and leave them as fuel for that flame 
of wrath which survives the dissolution of worlds, 
and is perpetuated by the vengeance of an angry 
Deity. 

Intemperance appears to be one of the greatest 
evils at the present day practiced by man. It is a 
lamentable scourge, that presides over millions of 
the human race. It is without controversy the great 
destroyer of multitudes of Adam's progeny, and 
brings upon them untimely suflferings and death. 



16 kick's orations. 

Flying from the useful state of morality in society, 
they become biased to bacchanalian excess and 
debauchery, proving themselves enemies to peace 
and piety, and are manacled in grossest iniquity. 

Methinks the wretched man is glorying in his 
shame, at some frequented tavern or grog-shop, w^hile 
his helpless children are exclaiming within the walls 
of the inclement tenement, " Oh ! that we had a 
morsel of bread to prevent our suffering with hun- 
ger, and satiate our keen appetite, made by the cruel 
treatment of a father." But their cries prove in 
vain. He has become hard as an adamant, and 
stems the torrent of oppression, without parental 
sympathy for the suffering children of his own body. 
What can be compared with Intemperance ? It is 
like some mighty vortex of the ocean, that draws 
ships nearer and nearer its centre, until they sink 
beneath the surface of the blue waves, and are lost 
in the mighty deep below. And will not the drunk- 
ard take warning, until he is buried in the whirl- 
pool of destruction, where liquids are plenty, and 
darkness presides ; in which if the abandoned soul 
shall enter, there shall be no hope of her exemption 
forever. 

We may suppose that Intemperance is a sin, which 
exasperates a holy God, to great indignation against 
the vile offender. He who suffers intoxication to de- 
stroy both soul and body, must absorb himself in the 
deepest ruins of the fall of man. Yes, the partici- 
pation of that cup, which imparts sensual glee, will 
add fuel to that fire which never shall be extinguish- 
ed ; it will greatly enhance the corrosive guilt of that 
worm which never dies. 

Let me now describe the object of a father's com- 
miseration and a mother's tears. He is their only 
son — the staff they expect to lean upon in the de- 
cline of life. But their hopes are soon blasted ; for 
the pillars of his clay tenement begin to tremble ; 
the prevailing excess of intoxication is demolishing 



ON INTEMPERANCE, 17 

the powers of his constitution, and swiftly accele- 
rates the abolition of human life. He dies as he 
lived. The sorrow of his mother is too big for ut- 
terance ! Gladly would she pour it forth in tears, 
but cannot ! Even tears refuse to give relief. His 
father, vibrating in agony, is impending over his 
grave ; his bosom heaves at the heart-rending catas- 
trophe ; and he exclaims, " O my son ! my son ! thou 
hast made shipwreck of all thy nobler powers on 
earth ; and to render thy case doubly dreadful, thou 
hast exposed thy deathless spirit to the vengeance 
of God, and sealed thy undying woes in the world 
to come !" Thus ends his mournful history. Thus 
he commences his eternal existence. 

Much has been done on the part of God for the 
drunkard. The commiseration of Heaven has been 
ample beyond description on his behalf. The an- 
gelic hosts have desired his emancipation from his 
awful curse. His case was so deplorable in the 
depths of mire and pollution, that for him, his only 
Savior cast off His diadem of glory — left the song of 
angels — the golden streets of the New Jerusalem — 
the ambrosial realm of God and seraphim, and the 
harps and celestial armies of the upper world, that 
he might redeem the drunkard from death, and place 
his sliding feet on the rock of God. Among all the 
heavenly hosts there was none that could redeem his 
soul and restore to him his lost Eden. None but the 
Father's only Son, by treading the winepress of the 
wrath of God, and dipping his vesture in his own 
blood, could make the reconciliation between God 
and the drunkard's soul. From the throne of a King 
in Heaven, I see his plunge, while the sapphire vault 
spreads wide to make way for his glorious personage 
as he journeys to the abode of man. Angels attend 
him in adoration as he appears in the form of the 
Babe of Bethlehem — cradled in a manger. They 
sung to his eternal honor, while shepherds caught 
I the sacred song, and hastened on their way to wor- 
2 



18 eice's orations. 

ship the new bom Stranger^ They beheld him with 
the smile of Heaven on his brow — the rich forebo- 
ding of free salvation. Wonder, my soul ! and 
be astonished, earth ! at this boundless love of 
God to man. 

At this exhibition of our Savior^ the devil stood 
afar off in his black domain, and howled with the 
fury of an insulted king — suffused his baleful eyes- 
in scalding tears, and mourned exceedingly that 
Adam's lost race had found hope in God. That it, 
was possible for man to be washed from his pollu- 
tion by the blood of atonement, and be made a fife 
subject for the fair climes above. That the vile 
inebriate, through repentance and reform, has a 
Friend able to bear him up above the waves of lost 
spirits, and place his feet on the fair banks beyond 
Jordan. Well might the prince of devils be con- 
founded at the redemption of lost man. 

But if the drunkard is determined to persist in 
his wicked course until he destroys both soul and 
body in hell, to accomplish his design he must wade 
through tears and blood. The Savior's, agony and 
sweat endured in the garden of Gethsemane, invite 
him to the Well of Life. That prayer from CaK 
vary, put up in the chancery of the courts of God, 
should woo his soul to embrace the GospeL That 
sacred stream which flowed from the Redeemer'^s 
side, as he was transfixed on the cursed tree, should 
induce him to lay up his treasure in God. The dis^ 
play of the Almighty's power when his Son gave 
up the ghost on the cross, should warn him to flee 
from the wrath to come ; ere the gate of mercy shall 
be closed forever, and the chains of lost hope bind 
him fast in the prison-house of death. Then a great 
ransom cannot redeem him. 

The man that persists in the course of inebriation 
until his life terminates, loses Heaven. The song 
of the redeemed shall never salute his ear. The 
feast of God's anointed shall never satiate his ap"» 



ON INTEMPERANCE. 19 

petite for bliss. The pure waters of the River of 
Life shall not slake his thirst ; for the fountain of 
mercy is withdrawn, and to him this precious gift 
shall be offered no more. All the beauties of Hea- 
ven and the sublime grandeur of the upper sanc- 
tuary are lost to the drunkard by his treason against 
God. When the riches of eternal salvation were 
freely offered through the intercession of the Savior, 
he could spurn the tide of mercy which caused Hea- 
ven to bleed from every pore. , The Friend of sin- 
ners has given up his mediatorial seat, and the day 
of mercy is passed away. The barren fig tree shall 
no longer live by his lenient prayer ; for the voice 
of justice cries cut it down, why cumbereth it the 
ground ? The drunkard's loss has now become irre- 
vocable, and the vials of God's wrath set in upon 
him forever. We must now leave him under the 
awful denunciation of an inspired apostle, who de- 
clares, " The drunkard shall not inherit the king-. 

■ dom of God." 

But to those on the shores of time there is one 
admonition more. The voice of mercy yet invites 
them to the Well of Life. The Savior's outstretch- 
ed arms of love yet plead in their behalf; and all that 
we can draw from the three worlds. Heaven, earth, 
and hell, conspire to induce the drunkard to flee the 
wrath of God, and scale those angelic mountains in 
the far off land of rest. To those who sleep in 
death, we have no exhortation — no sympathetic 

■ prayer, for they have crossed the isthmus and gone 
beyond our hope. But our prayer is for those who 

i live — for those who have not made their bed in 
eternal sorrows — whose stakes are not yet immuta'^ 
i bly thrown, nor their dies for eternity cast. Such 
: are the subjects of our tears; and for such, Jesus 
i groaned, bled and died ; and while the lamp of life 
' is yet burning, the inebriate may urge his suit, 
: change his course, and press into the kingdom of 
J Heaven. 



20 rice's orations. 

Seed time and harvest shall come and pass away. 
The hill and the valley shall smile with the luxu- 
ries of man. The cargoes of emporium shall float 
on the blue waves, and waft along the shores of the 
sublime highlands. The bells of minarets and bas- 
tions shall chime the midnight peal. The drunken 
revelries shall increase the history of death ; and 
the baneful Upas tree shall spread over all lands. 
The retreats of pollution, where King Alcohol waves 
his banner, shall swell the dirge of woe. The sound 
of the harp and viol shall chant the passions of 
youth ; and the chandeliers of theatres, like terres- 
trial suns, shall deceive the unwary traveller. The 
card and the throw of the dice, where souls are 
stamped for eternity, shall tell man's future history. 
The army of inebriates shall increase, ere they 
plunge the Jordan of death, to wait the resurrection 
fires and the direful woes of the final judgment. 
In all these scenes of pollution, man seems silent, 
as if at death, he closed his eyes in eternal sleep. 
But suddenly the voice of the archangel splits the 
sapphire vault above, and comes trumping down 
the eternal avenue with a mighty clangor, such as 
the world never knew. At the piercing sound of 
the trumpet, the drunkard awakes from his grave 
of centuries, amidst the awful volcanoes of the re- 
surrection morning. In a moment appears the grand- 
est scene ever witnessed on earth ; it is the Son of 
Man coming in the clouds of Heaven with power 
and great glory. This is the day the drunkard put 
afar off — this is the day he hoped never to see. But 
it has come — laden with the retribution of eternity 
for men and angels, and not one of Adam's pro- 
geny or demons lost, shall withstand the justice of 
their God. For it is written, " All that are in their 
graves, shall hear the voice of the Son of God, and 
they that hear shall live, and shall come forth ; they 
that have done good, unto the resurrection of life ; 



ON INTEMPERANCE. 21 

and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection 
of damnation." 

All the drunkards since the world began, or ever 
will be until the consummation of all things, have 
at this final day assembled around the white throne. 
The Judge in the greatness of his majesty assumes 
his seat. The books are opened. And the last des- 
tiny of men and angels will soon echo through the 
upper world, and pierce the drunkard's heart with 
horror, such as damned spirits only feel. The cloud 
of inebriates wait in awful suspense, to hear their 
doom. The Avenger of blood proclaims their sen- 
tence : " Depart ye cursed into everlasting fire." 
Deep gloom now covers their guilty souls ; and such 
wailings never pierced the heart of man. The ser- 
vants of God bind them fast in chains never to be 
broken, and force them down the slippery steeps of 
eternal damnation. They make their last plunge 
in the lake of fire, and never shall rise again. Here 
the lost angels of Heaven and Adam's race, that 
despised redemption, meet together to drink the un- 
ceasing vengeance of the wrath of God. Here their 
parching tongues shall cry for water, to quench the 
flames ; but their cries shall be put forth in vain. 
Tossed to and fro on this tempestuous lake of fire, 
they find no rest day nor night ; " For the smoke of 
their torments ascendeth up forever and ever." They 
cry, but too late ; for their mediatorial hour is passed 
by, and the thick darkness sets in upon them, which 
knows no breaking, no morn beyond it, and no star. 
Their bolts of eternal perdition are driven deep, in 
the dark profundity obscure ; and none but the eter- 
nal God can unloose their ponderous chains. Here, 
sorrow is destined to tread upon the heels of sorrow, 
through the long, dreary night of the damned ; for 
the rich news of freedom shall never salute their 
ears. The great boon of redemption^ once offered 
to man through the groans of Calvary, lost its power 
of salvation, at the isthmus of death ; and forever 



SS' KICE S ORATIONS. 

rings with lost hope on the sinner's ear. How 
can the drunkard lay down in this everlasting 
burning ? How can he endure this unquenchable 
fire ? 

But scenes more direful yet pierce the drunkard's 
soul. Horrible sights make him turn pale ; and the 
bowlings of the inebriate's damnation give terror to 
his ear ! But alas ! the hour of his redemption is 
passed by, and in vain he looks back on mortal ex- 
istence, gone beyond recall. His heart beats in 
agony ! Hope dies ! But sorrow lives through the 
long night of the drunkard's execration. But how 
great the change ! That bosom friend, who suffered 
her husband's vengeance while on earth, made rich 
in God, ascends in the chariot of grace, to the abode 
of angels. His children, Avho received his cruelty 
on the shores of mortality, have bid adieu to all their 
sufferings ; and on the wings of mercy, through faith 
in their Savior, are wafted above the storms of earth, 
to the fair climes of Heaven. This tells the climax 
of the drunkard's doom. This swells his chain of 
misery never to be broken. While the gentle 
breezes of Heaven are wafting the rich fragrance 
through all the fields of bliss ; and those heaven- 
born sons and daughters of God receive the rich 
balm that makes the soul rejoice forever, the poor 
inebriate wails his suffering-s, and imbibes the igfni- 
tion of sulphurous winds, through the long, dreary 
night of the damned ! And as he lifts up his eyes 
to Heaven, and beholds the vast multitude with harps 
in their hands, singing the rich song of redemption 
in honor to God and the Lamb, he inquires, how 
long must be my destiny in this prison-house of 
death ? The answer, borne on the expedition of the 
wrath of God, quickly strikes his ear, " Heaven and 
earth have passed away ; but my sentence is immu- 
table, and in it thou must read thy eternal suffer- 
ings." Here trembling seizes his soul ! Despair 
sits on his countenance! And hope sinks in "her last 



ON INTEMPERANCE. 23 

grave ! No imagination can conceive his untold 
misery ! No mortal pen shall be able to describe 
his sufferings ! For experience alone can tell the 
future scenes of his last destiny. As he remains in 
his dungeon of despair, ages on ages shall pass 
away, while he looks for hope ; but hope shall never 
come. He cries in the desperation of the soul, " O 
eternity ! eternity I the boundless duration of my 
sufferings, laden with the indignation of an angry 
Ood !" Here, death treads upon eternal death I 
And his load of agony passes the description of 
man. 

On the shores of time, King Alcohol had his ope- 
ration on the bacchanalian's heart, and through obe- 
dience to his mortal instruction he has become a fit 
subject for the world of wo, and the society of lost 
spirits. Here, he entered the school of Intemper- 
ance, which trains up her disciples for untimely suf- 
ferings and disgrace — accelerates their motality, 
and confirms their eternal damnation. Often in his 
maniac revelry, though extrmnely poor, he was rich ; 
though weak he was strong — and although a fool, 
he thought himself wise ; in a word, he was every 
thing disgusting in the sight of God and man. But 
we must now leave him in the regions of despair, 
under the sentence of that Judge who presides over 
universal nature, and rules as King in the armies 
of Heaven. To him, the votaries of Intemperance 
must bow the knee, and confess to the glory of God 
the Father. And from him, the inebriate, with all 
other sinners, must receive the just punishment due 
to his crimes ; for no one shall be able to escape his 
omniscient eye. O, that I was a ready writer — that 
I possessed more knowledge of the spirit's doom — 
that I had a voice like seven thunders, so that I 
could penetrate the drunkard's heart, ere he crosses 
the bridgeless river and enters the mansion of his 
second death ; where no voice of mercy shall ever 



24 rice's oeations. 

reach his case — no blood of atonement save him 
from his last grave. 

The drunkard may by this time be ready to in- 
quire, how shall I escape the woes of this second 
death? The Gospel administers the remedy. "Touch 
not, taste not, handle not." If any man pursues 
this course, he will never be a drunkard. If he has 
been one, he will be one no more Let him swear 
allegiance against King Alcohol, and stand fast in 
the cold-water ranks, and he will remain a sober 
man. He will show to the world that he has gained 
the victory over his most deadly foe. 

This is the brief history of the temperance re- 
form. But this alone cannot prepare the inebriate 
for the society of the blest. His heart may be yet 
stained with other crimes, which must be washed 
away in the efficacy of a Savior's blood, before he 
is a fit subject for the fair climes of Heaven. Then 
let him claim the word of God as his only hope, and 
never rest short of the rich possession of the spirit 
of the Gospel. Here "he may build his hope for 
eternity ; here he may pluck a rich diadem, and lay 
up his treasures above. 

Thus we see hope, in the drunkard's case. We 
behold it possible for him to leave the slough of de- 
spair ; to awake from his degradation, and put on 
the beautiful garments of immortality. Could those 
legions of drunkards on earth see clearly the situa- 
tion of their lost brethren in the world to come, they 
would flee for their lives from the city of destruc- 
tion, and like valiant soldiers press through floods 
of opposition into the kingdom of Heaven. No 
time would be lost ; the watchword would be^ on" 
ward — sink or swim — victory or death. 



ORATION II. 
ON WAR. 

' No murderer hath eternal life abiding- iji him." — John iii. 15. 



As I look about on the mental field of action, I 
behold topics of vast moment, discussed by the logi- 
cian, politician and Christian ; topics that are worthy 
of exposition and acceptation. I behold temperance 
with its balmy wings, meliorating the condition of 
man — drying up the widow's .ears- — and restraining 
the cup of indignation from thousands of our fellow- 
beings, who would otherwise drink it to its A^ery 
dregs. This cause is glorious in its nature, vindi- 
cates wisdom in its votaries, and is truly a modern 
and brilliant star arisen on the intellectual powers 
of man. But I anticipate another star soon to rise, 
whose lustre shall excel the one already arisen ; it 
is " Peace on earth and good will to men." This 
was the song of angels, and must be the song and 
practice of man, ere millennial glory shall inspire 
the world. And if "Wars must cease ere the Millen- 
nium shall appear, it is the duty of every friend of 
humanity, to oppose its desolating influence, and 
support the rich precept, " Love your enemies," 
sanctioned by the expiring blood of the Son of 
God. 

War, in its nature, is the most deadly evil that 
ever disgraced the records of history. It stands as 
the climax of offence above all other treason, and is 
punished by the great Lawgiver, with capital pun- 
ishment. It is nefarious in its nature above all other 



26 rice's orations. 

crimes, and robs man of the greatest boon he ever en- 
joyed on earth. It is his life ; take that away and all 
is lost. The position needs no proof, for the very na- 
ture of the case proves it true, beyond successful 
contradiction. From whence all these wailings, 
groans, tears and bloodshed ? From whence arise 
the widow's and the orphan's cry ? I need not point 
to the field of death, for all men know where the 
evil lies. Man may travel over the universal field 
of sorrow, and he finds no branch of atrocity that 
bears any comparison to the evils of War, Intem- 
perance, fornication and theft, are evils to be dread- 
ed in society ; but when compared to the evils of 
War, they sink into utter insignificance, for they 
neither sap the life blood, nor compel the wicked 
spirit \o immediately leave its probationary state and 
enter its immutable existence. 

I consider War in its nature, to be the same crime 
between nations as it is between two individuals — 
with the exception that in the one case, men fight 
for themselves ; but in the other, they fight for their 
master. The evil that produces War in the breast 
of the king, is the same as that of two combatants. 
It is true, that the consequences in the one case are 
worse than in the other, because the ravages of de- 
struction are more extensive ; but the wicked inten- 
tion is one and the same thing. The causes which 
produce fightings and death, are desire of honor, re- 
taliation, wealth, and power. If rulers of nations 
were as desirous for the peace and welfare of their 
subjects, as they are to hazard their destruction, the 
national death-cry would forever cease. Kings would 
learn wisdom and humility, and instead of death in 
the field of battle, peace would cover the globe. 

The causes of national War, are generally trivial 
in their nature. Perhaps the subjects of some na- 
tion intrude on the subjects or rights of another. 
The offence is but small at the commencement, but 
before it is settled, amounts to an awful scene. The 



ON WAR. 27 

ruler of the nation on whom the offence was com- 
mitted, rises up in the wickedness of his heart ; and 
instead of using the means of settling the disturb- 
ance amicabl}'', breaks forth in the blaze of anger, 
until he kindles up all the horrors of War, when 
the same offence which ends in seas of blood, might 
at the beginning, have been settled between the two 
rulers on easy terms, without destroying the life of 
an individual. Such is the disposition of many in 
authority, that instead of doing what they should do, 
they go counter to the welfare of their subjects, and 
often involve them in poverty, destruction and death. 
It is believed, the time is not far distant, when the 
rulers of the various sections of the globe shall be 
as anxious for the peace and prosperity of their peo- 
ple, as they have hitherto been for their destruc- 
tion ; and would to God that this period had ar- 
rived. 

(The devastation that has enveloped our globe in 
consequence of the inveteracy of man, is beyond the 
calculation of a finite mind. The first account we 
have of shedding blood, was in that early period of 
the world when Cain slew his brother Abel. Here 
we see in the first scene of death God disapproved 
of it, and cursed the wicked perpetrator with a mark 
of lasting infamy. Since that time, according to the 
records of history. Wars have almost incessantly 
deluged our world with sanguinary streams of blood. 
How often has the widow's heart been rent in agony 
at the black seal from the battle ground, or the dole- 
ful news in some other form, " Thy husband sleeps 
in death ?" What untimely sensations are these, 
Avhich writhe her broken heart in anguish and blast 
the prospect of her earthly bliss forever ? She as- 
sumes all her energy of mind to recall her former 
joy, but in vain she desires its return, for the object 
of her affection is no more on earth. Her eyes are 
swollen with tears, she weeps — she groans in the 
keen anguish of her soul, and perhaps in a short 



28 rice's orations. 

time expires. But if her life be extended — if the 
lamp yet burns for a season, it burns only in the 
gloom of untimely poverty and sufferings, and en- 
hances the misery of the forlorn object of despair. 
But there is a more solemn appeal to the champion's 
heart. It is the universal cry of millions of orphans, 
whose hapless condition calls in the tenderness of 
their souls, mercy from the monarch of their king- 
dom. Hear their mournful tale. Our fathers were 
forced from our dwellings — called to the battle field 
in obedience to the requisition of one who sat in 
judgment. They died in the conflict, and left their 
offspring to wretchedness and woe. What oceans of 
tears must yet be shed by widows and orphans, to 
assuage the wickedness of man ? How long shall 
their needy prayers be put forth in vain ? ;, 

The spirit of War has not been confined to Infi- 
dels, but has entered the hearts of those who pro- 
fess to wear the woolly fleece, and be called the ser- 
vants of the most high God ; these have also most 
inhumanly butchered their brethren, who professed 
with them the same religion of Jesus Christ ; but 
because they differed with them in some points of 
doctrine, many have been put to death by the most 
savage sufferings. If history be true, more than 
50,000,000 have been slain since the Savior's birth, 
by professors of religion and conflicts arising from 
the same. This seems singular, indeed, that men 
who profess to believe the same Gospel, which de- 
clares, " No murderer hath eternal life abiding in 
him," should rise up and slay each other, because 
one party has got the ascendancy in points of law. 
Thus, we see what iniquity can be couched in the 
heart of professors of religion, who do not possess 
the true spirit of the Gospel. 

If there were no animal misery in War, and no 
spiritual imprecation in the same, yet it must be true, 
there is great loss both of wealth and character ; 
because both parties lose their time and expenses, 



ON WAK. 29 

when but one party receives the prize — and that 
prize was in possession of one of the parties before 
the contest. It is very often the case, that the na- 
tion which conquers, spends as much time and mo- 
ney in obtaining victory over their enemies, as the 
amount of wealth they gain by the conquest ; and 
the subdued party, of course, must always be poorer 
than at the beginning of the conflict. 

It has been remarked by some, that War destroys 
that part of community which are a nuisance to so- 
ciety. I would ask in the name of logic, does not 
War, as a general thing, make two nuisances, where 
it removes one ? Thus we see it is injurious to 
community in a moral point of view. But when we 
recollect that those beings have immortal souls, that 
must live forever in bliss unutterable, or wail among 
the damned in hell ! and that to die in battle with a 
heart that even hates an enemy, is the sure ratifica- 
tion of the spirit's death in the world to come ; we see 
that the subject bears a momentous aspect; that the 
probationary existence of that being is ended, which 
probably would have been lengthened out had it not 
been for the combat ; and on that period of exist- 
ence hangs a dazzling crown, which worlds want 
wealth to buy ! and if lost, is past all redemption 
forever ! 

I do not wish to place the whole curse of War on 
rulers, or kings of nations, although they have the 
greater sin ; because every individual in a measure 
acts for himself; for no man can absolutely oblige 
another to shed blood. Man on this. point, in a cer- 
tain extent, acts free. It is true that one man may 
punish another for not obeying martial requirements ; 
but man may better suffer for righteousness' sake, and 
attain a future reward, than persist in unrighteous- 
ness, and lose his reward. Some men say, we are 
obliged to fight ; but this is not the case. Man may 
put the innocent to death ; but he cannot make the 
innocent fight the guilty. Therefore every man 



30 rice's orations. 

must give an account of his stewardship to God. 
If he has been a martialist, he must account for his 
demeanor. If he has been a peacemaker, he must 
account for the same. " For every man must 
give an account for the deeds which he hath 
done, whether they be good, or whether they be 
evil." 

I shall now attempt to show, that the War spirit 
in its nature counteracts the spirit of the Gospel. 
And if I can establish this position, by divine truth, 
I must of course convince every honest Christian, 
that passions of War in the breast of man are hein- 
ous beyond toleration. If man had no future exist- 
ence beyond death, it has been shown that War is 
most horrible, and ought to be expunged from the face 
of the earth. I do not pretend to say, but shedding 
of blood in some cases has been justified in the old 
Testament, in the dark ages of the world, before 
the Gospel had shed its lustre over the inhabitants 
of the earth. Let us for a moment reflect, and see 
the difference between the new and the old Testa- 
ments. It is written, saith the Savior, in the law, 
" An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth." Now 
hear the Gospel assertion — " But I say unto you, 
love your enemies ; and pray for them that despite- 
fully use you and persecute you, that you may be 
called the children of your Father which is in Hea- 
ven." And again, he saith, " Old things have 
passed away, and all things have become new." As 
much as if he had said, the Mosaic law answered 
in the dark ages of the world, and stands recorded 
as truth; yet I bring to man a new and living way, 
which, instead of covering the world with slaugh- 
tered millions, shall inspire it with peace and right- 
eousness. I consider the predictions of the old Tes- 
tament useful to us, as far as they go to corroborate 
the new ; and many of them being fulfilled at 
Christ's appearance, show that God directed the 
prophecy. I suppose the old Testament stands re- 



ON WAB. 31 

recorded as God's truth, but contains for us no sal- 
vation. If these assertions be true, we have to go 
to the new Testament to vindicate the doctrine of 
peace. 

We are now to consider one question more ; that 
is, what kind of spirit was exhibited in the doctrine 
and practice of our Savior ? Was he air enemy of man- 
kind ? or did he love them ? What precepts are these 
that fall from his lips, sweeter than the voice of an- 
gels ? " Blessed are the peacemakers ; for they shall 
be called the children of God." " Blessed are the 
merciful ; for they shall obtain mercy." When Pe- 
ter fought in defence of his Lord,, he said unto him, 
" Put up again thy sword into his place ; for all 
they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.'* 
The whole Gospel declaration, as far as it relates to. 
contention, is in favor of peace. It is called the " Gos- 
pel of peace," and there is nothing in the Savior's 
Will that goes to support War in any degree ; but 
everything to oppose it. How then shall a professor 
of Christianity justify himself in that nefarious act,, 
which the Savior condemns ? How long before the 
eyes of multitudes, now shut in darkness against 
the true light, shall be opened, and they accept the 
fulgency of that star, which shall disperse their 
gloom, and illumine them on the narrow pathway to 
Heaven ? How strange it is, that this wicked prin- 
ciple has ever entered the hearts of those who pre- 
tend to be the meek followers of the^ord ! But it 
is no more strange than true. 

The blessed Jesus " came to seek and to save that 
which was lost." Is there any spirit of destruction 
in this ? None. We may follow him through the 
whole course of his life ; and we see the same pa- 
cific spirit exhibited in all his ways. Who, when 
man had lost his primeval paradise, and became ex- 
posed, not only to temporal death, but the blackness 
of darkness forever, laid aside his beauteous gar- 
ments, looked upon with rapture by seraphim and 



32 rice's orations. 

cherubim, and in their stead received the frail garb 
of mortality, and dwelt among the children of men ? 
Thou blood-bought and immortality-born warrior, 
this was thy spotless Savior ! What kind of per- 
sonage was that, who, after there had been War in 
Heaven, and dark demons doomed to the lake of 
fire, passed by their black mansion of eternal death, 
with rapid flight winged his way to the gloomy re- 
gion of Adam's lost race, and promised to man the 
rich boon of redemption? This was truly the mur- 
derer's Friend ! Who was that, when he had led 
a life of sorrow, and was often acquainted with grief, 
sweat blood in the garden of Gethsemane for sin- 
ners — bore his cross to the fatal place of execution — 
by them and for them was nailed to the cursed tree, 
and for them expired the ignominious death of a 
malefactor ? This was truly the Friend of man. 

But I cannot yet leave the scene of sufferings, 1 
behold his spotless life from the cradle to the tomb. 
It cannot be remembered that any have seen him 
laugh, but many have seen him weep. He was a 
man of poverty ; that we through his poverty might 
become rich. He was a poor houseless wanderer, 
having not where to lay his head. As a man, he 
was often faint and weary, as he bore the Gospel of 
salvation to distempered sinners. I see him across 
the Kidron stream, bearing the ponderous load of 
guilt due to man ; which pressed the bloody sweat 
through every pore, and in drops of bleeding mercy 
fell to the ground. Follow, O my soul ! thy Re- 
deemer to Pilate's bar ! See the Creator of all worlds 
condescend to be condemned by wicked man. Be- 
hold the blessed Jesus scourged by frail mortals, 
from whence streams of blood ran to the ground. 
See that blessed head, which ever meditated peace 
for lost sinners, encircled with a wreath of thorns. 
See that face without spot or wrinkle, spit upon 
by the audacious scorner. See those eyes, that could 



ON WAR. 33 

often weep for the miseries of a lost world, by the 
enemies of peace sealed in the embrace of death. 

But lo ! the Savior is buffeted in the streets of 
the Jews ! aiad moves in solemn gloom, to the place 
of execution ! He lies upon the bed of sorrows. 
The adamantine soldiers, with the ponderous ham- 
mer, drive the spikes through his hands and feet. 
They rear him up, a spectacle to men and angels. 
He bleeds — he groans — he dies ! A drop of that 
precious blood darkens the mid-day sun, while the 
rueful exhibition made the earth to her centre quake, 
the tombs burst, the rocks rend, and the veil of the 
temple sunder in twain from top to bottom. Surely 
this must prove the matchless commiseration of the 
Lamb of God. 

After our Savior had given up his life on the 
cross, for some cause a soldier pierced our Redeem- 
er's side — from which incision flowed blood and 
water. 0, that the enemy of peace might drink 
freely of that mighty stream which flowed from the 
Savior's side, that he might catch the rich tide of 
mercy that saves the soul in the world to come ! But 
the merciful exhibition of the blessed Redeemer 
does not end here. He raised the widow's son from 
the chambers of death. He healed all manner of 
diseases, and cast out devils, without money and 
without price. I see his condescension, at the grave 
of Lazarus, where humanity bled at the loss of those 
he loved. Jesus wept with them who wept. " Then 
said the Jews, behold how he loved him." Jesus 
groaned in the spirit and was troubled ; after which 
he cried with a loud voice " Lazarus, come forth." 
And he that was dead immediately arose from the 
mansion of the grave. 

Thus we have proved that the Author of the 
Gospel of peace is the greatest Friend that ever 
showed mercy to the woes of suffering humanity. 
And if he is a Friend, such must be his disciples ; 
for he calls them all brethren. 



34 rice's orations. 

I would to God that I was a finished painter, a 
ready writer, and had the pen of an angel, that I 
might do justice to my subject, and show forth ta 
my countrymen and the world the mournful scene 
of the battle ground — the dying woes — the bloody 
carnage and crimsoned streams of death. That I 
could lay before the human understanding the awful 
tragedy of War — the expiring groans and flowing 
rivers of blood. Could I exhibit the speedy flight 
of millions upon millions of deathless spirits, wha 
are hastened to the judgment unprepared to meet 
their God, I should arrive at that point which would 
happify my soul, and discharge a duty I owe to God 
and the world. Are there not sorrows enough in 
this life, that tread upon the heels of sorrow, with- 
out man's enhancing his awful curse and that of his 
fellow man ? Could there be tears in Heaven, they 
would freely fall from angels' eyes, as they behold 
the doleful exhibition of martial combats. In this 
case man's image of God is lost, and he ceases ta 
be man. 

The War spirit of evil in the breast of man, is 
the great enemy of peace to the world. It is the 
spirit of the devil, who was a murderer from the be- 
ginning, and is incessantly going about like a roar- 
ing lion, seeking whom he may devour — making 
foes to the Prince of peace, and enlisting candidates 
for the wailings of the second death. Thus we see 
that men are easily attracted by the wicked one — 
that their spirits resemble those lost angels — that 
many are fast hastening to the same gulf of per- 
dition, and nothing can save them from the curse 
but the acceptation of the free grace of God, be- 
cause for man there is but one Savior and one method 
of salvation. 

How vain the warrior's glory — how soon it ex- 
pires — how quick his fame is transmitted to obli- 
vion, and all his earthly encomiums transformed to 
death's eternal sleep ? How inconsistent is man ta 



ON WAR. 35 

aspire a momentary crown, which if once obtained 
is worthless in its nature, and lighter in the estima- 
tion of reason than the dust of the balance ? Sup- 
pose the warrior obtain victory over his enemy, this 
only increases his thirst for shedding blood and his 
desire for subduing other nations and kingdoms, 
until his heart becomes adamantine in the extreme, 
and his thirst for victory completely triumphs over 
mercy. Yes, he would if possible, be an Alexander, 
and conquer the world ; and to prove that his thirst 
for blood was not yet satiated, he would set down 
and weep, to think there was not another world for 
him to conquer. When man seriously ruminates on 
the subject of martial honor, he would suppose none 
but the frantic maniac would ever embark in such 
an undertaking, as to wade through the blood of his 
fellow men to obtain that eulogy disapproved of by 
his Creator, and destined to speedy annihilation. 
But such is the folly and wickedness of man, that 
he prefers a fading crown to one that never dies. 

rHow often have the brightest stars of our world 
been extinguished by the evil practice of dueling ? 
How have those lights been transmitted to oblivion, 
and all the nobler powers of man sunk in death's 
gloomy sleep ? Let America yet remember the 
woes arising from the Hoboken shore ! Let her 
reflect on that tragical scene when the rich blood of 
Hamilton flowed from his mighty heart, and let her 
ever reject with infamy, that practice which robbed 
her of so great a statesman. 

Those eyes that sparkled in anticipation of future 
bliss, are sealed in death. That heart which beat 
high for our welfare, has now lost its motion. That 
voice which ever plead our country's cause, shall be 
heard no more, and all that was so great and glori- 
ous in Hamilton, has, by the enemy of peace, been 
swept away. 

" Ye Americans, approach and behold, Avhile I 
lift from his sepulchre its covering — ye admii'ers of 



36 rice's orations. 

his greatness — ye who are emulous of his talents 
and his fame, approach and behold him now. How 
pale ? How silent ? No martial bands admire the 
adroitness of his movements. No fascinated throng 
weep, and melt and tremble at his eloquence ! 
Amazing change ! A shroud ! a cotfin ! a narrow 
subterraneous cabin ! This is all that remains of 
Hamilton." And is this all that remains of him, 
who vied Avith European eloquence, and Grecian 
sages ? 

The deadly foe of Hamilton has been followed by 
the Avenger of blood. Poverty, affliction and dis- 
grace, have overtaken him since the foul deed was 
perpetrated. The widow's and the orphan's tear 
have been recorded in the archives of God, and have 
been remembered by the righteous Judge. And if 
there is justice in Heaven, that hostile murderer will 
be retaliated for all his wrongs, and all his confed- 
erates who are enlisted under the black banner: 
" For whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also 
reap.'^ 

How many warriors, after having received their 
mortal wounds, have repented and bewailed the 
cause of their sufferings ? Had they mountains of 
gold, they would freely give all for their exemption, 
but in vain they put forth their dying prayer, because 
their wounds are mortal, and hasten their passage 
through the waves of Jordan. The gift of life, pre- 
cious beyond description, they have bartered away , 
for the warrior's glory. They now become frantic,] 
and no created arm can redeem them from their) 
mournful execration. Could the warrior Avhile ini 
health, withdraw the veil from the battle ground! 
and heboid the misery he is exposed to there, he| 
would flee from it as he would from the baneful Upas' 
Tree, and turn his back forever on martial honor. 
War would appear more terrible to him than the lion 
of the forest seeking his prey, or the deadly coils of 
the anaconda. But instead of weighing the subjecti 



ON WAR. 37 

in the scale of reason, like those lost demons that 
fought against God, he rushes to battle with incau- 
tious steps until his temporal and eternal perdition is 
sealed beyond all hope. 

There is one topic more I have yet to mention. 
It is taking the life of him who sheds blood. If 
I were to express my opinion on this subject, I would 
gladly substitute another punishment for the scaffold 
of death, which is imprisonment during life, in such 
a manner, that the murderer can no more have an 
opportunity of taking the life of his fellow men. 
This gives him a greater chance for repentance and 
future salvation. If taking away the murderer's 
life would restore the life of his victim, there would 
be more wisdom in the case, but this can never 
come to pass. Therefore, because the servant of 
iniquity has committed the greatest possible crime, 
it does not look rational, that men who profess bet- 
ter things, should inflict the same punishment on 
his person. But instead of keeping up the rigor- 
ous practice of the Mosaic law, they should act in 
reference to the spirit of the Gospel. 

We see the noble operations of the spirit of peace 

in the case of William Penn. When he purchased 

his American lands of the British government, he 

did not consider himself the soil owner until he had 

bought it again of the aborigines, and settled with 

them on terms of peace, insomuch that it has been 

ever since high treason among the Indians to put to 

death a Quaker, who lived up to his profession. I 

suppose if all the emigrants who settled in America 

I possessed the same spirit as William Penn, the red 

i men of the forest had never shed the blood of a 

' white man, nor the white men the blood of an 

1 Indian. If this inference be true, what waves 

I of sorrow might have been silenced on terms of 

j peace. 

To inspire the mind with the evils of War, let us 
■ view the horrid scenes of Waterloo. A few years 



38 rice's orations. '; 

have passed away since Bonaparte and Wellington 
met on the battle field over which their mighty 
armies were manoeuvering. As I reflect on the aw- 
ful scene, it sets in upon my vision and seems to be 
just before me. The direful cannonading now be- 
gins, and soon rolls the whole length of the lines. 
On the right, Jerome Bonaparte with 12,000 men 
descends like a mountain stream on the Chateau of 
Hougoumont. Column after column, — the dark 
masses march straight into the deadly fire that 
opens in every direction. In perfect order, and steady 
front, they press up to the very walls, and thrust 
their bayonets through the door itself. At length, 
the house takes fire, and the shrieks of the wounded 
who are burning up, rise a moment over the roar of 
the strife, and then nought is heard but the con- 
fused noise of battle. Slowly, reluctantly, those 
12,000 surge back from the walls ;— 12,000 did I 
say? No; in this rapid half hour 1,500 have 
fallen to rise no more, and there in that orchard of 
four acres, their bodies are scattered, nay, rather 
piled, besmeared with powder and blood. Between 
me and them, fresh columns of French infantry, 
headed by a long row of cannon that belch forth 
their fires every few moments, come steadily up to 
the English squares. Whole ranks of living men 
fall at every discharge, but those firm squares 
neither shake nor falter. The earth trembles as 
cannon answers cannon, burying their loads in solid 
masses of human flesh. In the midst of this awful 
melee, the brave Picton charges home on the French, 
and they roll back like a wave from the rock — but 
a bullet has entered his temple, and he sallies back 
and falls at the head of his followers. And yonder 
to save their flying infantry, a column of French 
cavalry throw themselves with the ocean's mighty 
swing on the foe ; but these rock-fast squares stand 
rooted to the ground. Slowly and desperately that 
darinsf column walk their horses round and round 



ON WAR. 39 

the squares, dashing in at every opening, but in vain. 
And now from wing to wing it is one wild battle, 
and I see nothing but the smoke of cannon, the 
tossing of plumes, and the soaring of the French 
eagle over the charging columns ; and I hear nought 
but the roll of the drum, — the sound of martial 
music, — the explosion of artillery, and the blast of 
the bugle sounding the charge. There stands Wel- 
lington, weary and anxious. Wherever a square 
has wavered, he has thrown himself into it, cheer- 
ing on his men. But now he stands and surveys 
the field of blood, and sees his posts driven in, his 
army exhausted, and exclaims, while he wipes the 
sweat from his brow, " Would to God that Blucher 
or night would come." The noble Gordon steps up 
to him, begging him not to stand where he is so ex- 
posed to the shots of the enemy, and while he is 
speaking, a bullet pierces his own body, and he falls. 
Bonaparte surveys the field of slaughter with savage 
ferocity, and pours fresh columns on the English 
lines, while the cavalry charge with desperate valor 
on the English infantry. For four long hours has 
the battle raged, and victory wavered. But look ! 
a dark object emerges from yonder distant wood, 
and stretches out into the field. And now there are 
banners, and horsemen, and moving columns. The 
Prussians are coming ! Bonaparte sees them, and 
knowing that nothing can save him but the destruc- 
tion of the English lines before they arrive, orders 
up his old imperial guard, that had been kept aloof 
from battle all the day. He addressed them in a few 
fiery words, telling them that all rests on their valor. 
They shout, " the Emperor forever," till the sound 
is heard even to the British lines. With the im- 
petuous Ney at their head, they move in perfect or- 
der and beautiful array down the slope. The storm 
of battle is hushed. No drum, or trumpet, or mar- 
tial strain cheers them on I No bugle sounds the 
charge .' In dread silence and with steady step they 



40 rice's orations. 

come. The allied forces look with indescribable 
awe and dread, on the approach of those battalions 
that had never yet been conquered. But the mo- 
mentary pause is like the hush of the storm ere it 
gathers for a fiercer sweep. The cannon open at 
once, and Avhole ranks of that gallant band fall like 
a snow wreath from the mountain, yet they falter 
not ; over the mangled forms they pass, and with 
steady, resistless force, come up face to face with 
their foe. The lines reel and totter, and sway back- 
ward. The field seems lost — but no, that awful 
discharge on their bosoms from, that rank of men 
that seemed to rise from the ground, has turned the 
day — the invincible guard stop as if stunned by some 
terrible blow. A second discharge and they wheel 
and fly. The Avhole English line now advance to 
the assault. Look at that mangled column, how 
that discharge of artillery has torn its head, and 
carried away half its number. 

' Tis over ; that magnificent army that formed in 
such beautiful order in the morning, on the heights, 
is now rent, and the fugitives darken the field. 
' Tis night ; but the Prussians, fresh on the field, 
pursue the flying the long night. Oh ! what scenes 
of horror and dread are witnessed, where the thun- 
der of distant cannon comes booming on the mid- 
night air ! Death is dragging the car over the mul- 
titude, and the very heavens look aghast at the mer- 
ciless slaughter. 

' Tis night ; the roar of the far-ofl" cannon is heard 
at intervals, but here it is all quiet. The battle is 
hushed, and the conflicting legions have parted to 
meet no more. The full round moon is sailing 
quietly up the blue heavens, serene and peaceful as 
ever. The stars shine on, as if they looked on no 
scene of woe. A weary form is slowly passing over 
the field ; it is Wellington, weeping as he goes ; for 
his horse's hoofs strike at every step in puddles of 
human blood ; and the moonbeams fall on more than 



ON WAR. 41 

20,000 corpses strewed over the trampled ground. 
The groans of the dymg, and the shrieks of the suf- 
fering mingled together, while the sudden death- 
cry rings over all. And the unconscious moon is 
smiling on — painting the far-off landscape in beau- 
ty. God in Heaven, is this thy earth, and are those 
mangled mountains of flesh thy creatures ? How 
little nature seems to sympathize with the scenes 
that transpire in her presence ! It is true the grain 
lies trampled and crushed, and red on the plain, but 
the wind passes as gently over it, stirring the tree- 
tops as it goes, as if no groans were mingled with 
its breath. The full-orbed moon rides up her gor- 
geous path-way of stars, smiling down as sweetly 
on these crushed and shrieking masses, as if nought 
but the shepherd boy reclined on the field, and gazed 
on her beauty. Nay, God himself seems not to no- 
tice this fierce attack on the happiness of his crea- 
tures ; but lets nature, like a slumbering child, 
breathe peacefully on. And yet this is an awful 
night, and there is an aggregate of woe and agony 
here, no mind can measure. And he — the author 
of it all — the haughty homicide, who has strode like 
a demon over Europe, and left his infatuated armies 
on three continents, where is he ? A fugitive for 
life ; while the roar of the distant cannon coming 
faintly on his ear, tells him of the field and power 
he has left behind. His race is run ; that baleful 
star has gone down, and the nations can breathe free 
once more ! 

The Christian cannot muse over such a field of 
blood, without the deepest execration of Bonaparte's 
career. The warrior may recount the deeds wrought 
in that mighty conflict, but the Christian's eye looks 
farther — to the broken hearts it has made, and to 
the fearful retributions of the judgment. We will 
not speak of the physical suffering crowded into this 
one day, for we cannot appreciate it. The suffer- 
ings of one single man, with his shattered bones 



42 rice's orations. 

piercing him as he struggles in his pain ; his suffo- 
cation, and thirst, and bitter prayers, drowned amid 
the roar of battle ; his mental agony as he thinks 
of his wife and children ; his last death-shriek, are 
utterly inconceivable. Multiply the sum of this 
man's sufferings by 20,000, and the aggregate, who 
can tell ? Then charge all this to one man's ambi- 
tion, and who shall measure his guilt, or say how dark 
and terrible his doom should be ? Bonaparte was a 
man of great intellect ; but he stands charged with 
crimes that blacken and torture the soul forever ; 
and his accusers and their witnesses will rise from 
almost every field in Europe, and come in crowds 
from the banks of the Nile, He met and conquered 
many armies ; but never stood face to face with such 
a terrible array, as when he shall be summoned 
from his grave to meet this host of witnesses. The 
murderous artillery, the terrific charge, and the 
headlong courage, will then avail him nothing. 
Truth, justice, and mercy, are the only helpers 
there, and they cannot help him. He trod them 
down in his pride and fury, and they shall tread him 
down forever. He assaulted the peace and happi- 
ness of the earth, and the day of reckoning is sure, 
ie. put his glory above all human good or ill, and 
drove his chariot over a pathway of human hearts, 
and the God of the human heart shall avenge them 
and abase him. 

I care not what good he did in founding institu- 
tions and overturning rotten thrones ; good was not 
his object, but personal glory. Besides this, sack- 
ing and burning down cities to build greater, has 
always been a favorite measure with conquerors, and 
the favorite apology with their eulogisers. It is false 
in fact, and false, if true in the inference drawn 
from it. It is not true that improvement was his 
purpose, nor does it exculpate him if it was. God 
does not permit man to produce happiness this way, 
without a special command. When he wishes a 



ON WAK. 43 

corrupt nation or people to be swept away, he sends 
his earthquake or pestilence ; or if man is to be his 
anointed instrument, he anoints him in the presence 
of the world. He may, and does allow one wicked 
thing to scourge another, but the scourger is a cri- 
minal while he fulfils the design, for he acts not for 
the Deity, but for himself. The grand outline of Bona- 
parte's mental character — the great achievements he 
performed — the mighty power he wielded, and the 
awe with which he inspired the world, have blind- 
ed men to his true character, and he remains half 
deified to this day ; while the sadness of his fate — 
being sent to eat out his heart on a solitary rock in 
mid-ocean — has created a morbid sympathy for him, 
anything but manly or just. The very manner of his 
departure must have contributed to this wrong feel- 
ing. Expiring amidst an awful storm, while trees 
were falling, and the sea flinging itself, as if in con- 
vulsions, far up on the island, have imparted some- 
thing of the supernatural to him. And then his 
fierceness to the last ; for though the night was wild 
and terrible, a wilder night was over his heart, and 
his spirit in its last fitful struggle, was watching the 
current of battle. He has gone, and his mighVy 
armies with him ; but the day shall come when the 
world shall read his history as they read that of 
Caesar, and point to his grave with a shudder. 

The followers of the Savior, in the early ages of 
the Christian church, denied the spirit of War in 
their faith and practice. They well knew that it 
opposed the precepts of their Master. That it was 
the deepest stain of iniquity that ever inspired the 
breast of a sinner. A Christian take up arms to 
slay his fellow men ! As well might hell be called 
Heaven, or the devil an angel of light ! The very 
reason why so many of the ancient Christians died 
martyrs, was because they practised the spirit of the 
Gospel, rather than destroy their murderers and 
prolong their own existence. The warrior then 



44 kick's orations. 

bearing arms, and raging like a demon against his 
foe, as soon as he became a convert to Christianity, 
laid down his carnal weapons and began the spirit- 
ual warfare of his Master. No earthly wealth or 
crown sublime, could induce him to take the life of 
his enemy ; for he well knew the precept of his 
Lord, " He that loseth his life for my sake, the same 
shall keep it unto life eternal." 

The church for ages has been imbibing error, as 
the oceans swallow the rivers of water. Almost 
every sect claiming the name of Christians, believe 
in the practice of War, Laying aside the teach- 
ings of the Son of God, they have become trans- 
formed to the spirit of the world — desiring a name 
to live when dead — falsely professing Christianity. 
Peace is the Banner of the Gospel ! Peace, the 
Christian's element ! And if there must be Wars 
and commotions to deluge our earth in blood, be it 
known they originate from the powers of darkness, 
and not from the church of God. If this position 
be established, how ought every servant of the Lord 
beware how he treads forbidden ground, lest he 
comes short of the crown of salvation. Lest he de- 
ceives others by the preaching and practice of his 
own delusion — becomes instrumental in their dam- 
nation, and rears a structure of opposition to God 
which at last will grind him to powder, and leave 
nothing but his soul to wail its eternal loss. 

In this luminous day, when the Gospel of light 
beams with such lustre, I behold certain objects 
strange in appearance. They are those ministers 
of the sacred desk, who pretend to preach the Gos- 
pel of the Son of God, yet are Mahometans at 
heart — believe in shedding blood — teach their peo- 
ple the same precept ; and instead of preaching the 
doctrine of the Savior, they are recommending the 
greatest sin for virtue, that was ever perpetrated by 
man. Such are the characters that pierced the Re- 
deemer's side — that drove the nails through his 



ON WAR. 45 

hands — and took his life on the brow of Calvary. 
Such are they, who counterfeit the truth of Heaven, 
and rob the Savior of his brightest crown. These 
evangelists shall have no excuse ; for they sin against 
light, under the influence of fashion, and have not 
religion enough in their hearts to enable them to 
bear their cross and preach the truth of God. 

Were all the teachers in Christendom preachers 
of divine truth, believers in religion would look on 
shedding of blood as the greater sin, and would flee 
from so cruel a practice, as they would from the 
fangs of the serpent. If the multitude of such 
preachers as many we now have, were sufficient to 
cover the globe, they would never be instrumental 
in bringing about the Millennium, without a direct 
miracle from God, to convert them and their disci- 
ples. Therefore the doctrine of peace should be 
declared by those who stand on the walls of Zion ; 
that there may be a line of distinction between the 
servants of the Lord and the servants of the wick- 
ed one. That the world may see " The Christian's 
weapons are spiritual, and mighty through God in 
pulling down the strong holds of Satan, and of 
building up the Redeemer's kingdom." 

How often have chaplains of armies, just before 
the commencement of battle, made solemn mockery 
of prayer, for those soldiers about to shed blood ? 
What faith, pretended to be based on the Gospel, 
was shook to its centre by the same truth ? What, 
a minister of God ! praying for the success of men, 
in the performance of the foulest deed that ever 
stained the archives of history. " 0, tell it not in 
Gath — nor let the sound reach the streets of Aske- 
lon !" Their prayer should be for every soldier to 
sheath his sword, and flee the field of death. Thus 
they would prove their doctrine born of God, and 
comprised of the richest gold of Heaven. 

Could the tears and blood which have been shed 
in consequence of War, since the creation of man. 



46 rice's orations. 

be convened in one mass, they would form a lake 
sufficiently large to float the United States navy. 
And could the groans and lamentations experienced 
in consequence of the flood gates of death, give the 
elegiac tune to the howling winds, they would waft 
this mighty fleet to and fro, on its sanguinary bo- 
som. And did these winds possess the power of 
retaliation, as they sometimes do, when directed by 
the finger of God, they would drive this martial 
craft, by the scourge of destruction, against the iron- 
bound shores ; or make her devastation sure on the 
rocks of mortal damnation ! Then this mighty en- 
gine of death could no longer bear those savage 
blood hounds of hell to foreign shores, so they might 
scourge their brethren, and drive them to an untime- 
ly grave. 

But why all this pleading for peace on earth ? 
Why this anxiety for the heaven-born spirit of God, 
to inspire the world, and restore her to ancient glory? 
The friend of man would fain dispel the woes of his 
fellow man ; and would, through his obedience to 
the Gospel, place on his brow the golden crown, 
deposited in Heaven for the sons of God. Did the 
murderer look on shedding of blood as does the mur- 
derer's Friend, he would sooner give up every thing 
he holds dear on earth, than to take the life of his 
enemy ; if by so doing he could save his own. Such 
would be the commiseration of his soul — such would 
be his ejaculation to Heaven. 

( But the drum shall yet drown the warrior's dying 
prayer. The reign of Beelzebub on earth shall swell 
the mournful dirge. War and rumors of War shall 
deluge the earth ; and the hill and valley shall re- 
sound with the artillery of death. Lost angels shall 
yet make brethren of Adam's race ; and urge them 
on to the perdition of ungodly men, where their por- 
tion must be scalding tears, and the red glare of 
undying flames. The hells of riot shall spread far 
and wide. The influence of bloody carnage shall 




ON WAR. 47 

draw man's heart from virtue. Martial atrocity shall 
pour forth in floods of desolation, and forever destroy 
the Christian's peace, were it not laid up in God. 
Such will be the scene on earth, until Satan takes 
his last farewell, and man receives the true spirit 
of the Gospel. 

When I survey the field of battle ; when I behold 
the untimely carnage, the quick exit from time to 
eternity, and the manner in which thousands depart, 
it shocks my mind with amazement at the dismal 
scene. Is not this the height of barbarism, the per- 
fection of madness, and the highest degree of folly ? 
I see multitudes of human beings, rushing forth to 
the slaughter, in high expectation of victory ; yet in 
reality they are , in imminent danger. They are 
exposing their blood-bought souls, and all they hold 
dear on earth, to death and despair ; yet unconscious 
of this all-important truth, they rush forward, un- 
til they are apprehended by the death-ball's fa- 
tal motion, and close their eyes amid the shrieks 
of death. This I conceive to be the greatest infatu- 
ation that ever dictated the passions of man. 
5" Day and nigli,t shall visit the world — the wave of 
deathly sorrow shall in succession follow wave — the 
shrill clangor of the trumpet shall call men to arms ; 
the burst of cannon, like peals of thunder, shall 
swell the tale of wo, amidst the groans and cries of 
the dying- — the sword of vengeance shall brandish 
the air, and drink the blood of the victim's heart — 
clouds of smoke shall envelop the field of carnage ; 
and if it were possible, clad the sun in mourn- 
ing at the awful scene — ^ere nations shall learn 
War no more, and millennial glory transform the 
world.) 

I shall now attempt to draw the contrast between 
the bliss of the Christian and that of the warrior. 
Between him who fights with carnal weapons,, and 
him who fights with spiritual. And to accomplish 
my object, I shall attempt to show the Christian's 



48 rice's orations. 

pilgrimage through the paradisiacal fields of delight, 
and his participation of glory in the world to 
come. And to end the contrast, I shall describe 
the warrior's death, and his existence beyond the 
grave. 

Man, by his Creator has been endowed with a ca- 
pacity designed to magnify its first existence, and 
verge with rapid strides towards creative power. 
He surveys the orb on which he sails through the 
vast fields of ether by the mental powers of his 
giant mind. He has formed rules whereby he has 
directed ships through vast oceans to foreign shores, 
and measured the flight of blazing meteors over the 
fields of infinite space. He has formed laws and 
sj'stems of just regulations, whereby he has melio- 
rated the condition of man, and silenced the voice 
of tumult, sedition and death. All these things 
have been performed by the intellectual powers of 
man. 

Often on visionary pinions he mounts the far off 
worlds that glitter on night's dreary mantle, and 
wake up with increased glory, all the blushes of 
morning. Flying from worlds of light to worlds 
more amorous still by seraphic grandeur, lights on 
some distant star — doubles the cape of heaven, then 
sails up the stream of time, where power creative first 
began to energise, and where existence sprang forth 
from chaotic embryo, by the finger of the great 
Original. 

But to prove the compassion of the spirit of 
peace, let us look back on some of those charac- 
ters that have long since slept in death, yet by 
their intelligent minds have made their names im- 
mortal. 

Ever since the creation of the world, we find some 
men who have stood like the mountain oak, reckless 
of the storms that beat around them. There have 
been men firm as the everlasting hills, whom no 
threatenings could terrify, and no wealth could bribe. 



ON WAR. 49 

Such a man was Howard. Like an angel of mercy 
he flew from prison to prison, searching out the 
abodes of misery, and pouring into the wounded 
spirit the bahn of consolation. He could not stop to 
visit the ruins of Rome, or survey the grandeur of 
fallen temples, but like the spirits of other worlds, 
he cared not for sumptuous palaces, golden gems or 
glittering crowns, for it was enough for him to dry 
up the tears of sorrow. As the stranger returning 
to his home after years of absence, stops not to view 
the flowers that may chance spring up in his path, 
so Howard urged his footsteps on in his work of 
mercy. 

Behold a Whitefield on European shores ; like 
some small light bursting through the clouds, he 
arose from poverty's deep gloom — became a shining 
star in the atmosphere of Heaven — preached salva- 
tion to his countrymen — moved the marble heart, 
and extracted tears from eyes that could seldom 
weep. Having a desire for the eternal welfare 
of man, he could not confine his labors to Europe, 
but with unequalled zeal, he embarked for the new 
world, and preached in the fair hamlets of America, 
the rich Gospel of the Son of God. 

But lo ! a personage of modern date, whose voice 
of eloquence mingled with the grateful strains, melt- 
ed the vile hearts of his audience, and directed their 
visionary eyes to the delectable fields of Heaven — 
a richer paradise than our first parents knew. But 
Summerfield is no more. Ere his meridian glory 
had arisen upon the world, the angel of death had 
received his commission, and the fair prospect of 
this evangelist was terminated forever ! 

Who was it that surpassing the narrow limits 
which had hitherto been set to the mind of man, 
ranged the fair fields of unbounded space, discover- 
ed and explained those laws by which Deity limits, 
binds, and governs all things ? Who was it that 
passed the narrow bounds of Astronomy, hitherto 

4 



50 rice's orations. 

understood, and by his improvement on this science, 
discovered the starry w^orlds, measured their spheres, 
and called them by their names ? Who was it that 
after having travelled the vast amphitheatre of hea- 
ven, passed by unnumbered suns, beheld the sap- 
phire vaults of glory and mansions of purest ether, 
weighed himself in the balance of God, and laid 
his honor at the feet of Jesus 1 It was the immor- 
tal Newton. . 

Who was it that withdrew the veil which had for 
ages enveloped the world, analyzed the human 
mind, discovered its properties, reduced its opera- 
tions to certain fixed laws, and became a brilliant 
star in the scientific world ? It was the celebrated 
Locke. What more shall I say 1 For time would 
fail me to speak of Hale, learned in the law — of 
Bascom, admired in the schools — of Young and 
Pollock, celebrated among the poets — and of Paul, 
the worthy Evangelist of the Gospel. These were 
men worthy of encomium, whose minds almost un- 
bounded, soared towards angelic power, and sought! 
the beauties of brighter vision. i 

But the mind of man is like its Author, never to 
expire. It was not intended for a momentary be- 
ing in this clay building of earth, and pass from 
time at death's cold embrace into annihilation. It 
must survive the wreck of worlds, and rise higher 
and yet higher still, in the greatness of its strength ; 
for an increase of knowledge is the prerogative of 
the mind in the world to come. The most lofty an- 
gel that blazes around the throne of God, looks 
down upon Christians from his majestic seat, and 
beholds a period in eternity when they shall surpass 
his present glory. If man is formed for such am- 
plifications as tJiese, where shall we place his bounds ? 
Let man remain silent and his Creator tell. 

Let us now cross the isthmus of death, and fol- 
low those hearen-born sons of God to the land of 
rest. Guided by heavenly wisdom they fly from 



ON WAR. 51 

mansion to mansion, and from glory to glory, dart- 
ing the eye of fancy over the expansive fields of 
ether, where the beauties of the Son of righteous- 
ness forbode an eternity of joy. Sparkling with the 
animated vigor of the upper world, they gaze on the 
wonders of the grand machine, glancing the ex- 
tracted eye of vision over the ethereal creation, until 
the darling beauties of such consummation, impede 
the progressive flight, and lessen the swift survey 
of an intellect, bounded only by an uncreated So- 
vereign. They may sail up the winding maze to 
their original existence, and by thwarting their me- 
ridian glory, they may soar and soar, on the pro- 
gressive flight of rapture, and find no end to their 
exalted being. When ages on ages shall have roll- 
ed away, Avhen the mandate angel shall have taken 
his flight through Heaven, and lead the flaming 
choir with anthems of adoration to the Lamb, when 
millions of j'ears shall have passed away in the de- 
lectable worship of the Son of God, those heavenly 
spirits may look farther with an all-cheering sight, 
and behold that eternity is just begun. Such is 
the joy of the Christian — but how unlike the war- 
rior's doom. 

Let us now reverse the picture, and follow the 
warrior to the end of human life. Let us see his 
last farewell, as he closes his acount for eternity 
and shuts his eyes on all things beneath the sun. 
Farewell, green mountains and silver streams, for 
the long, dark, dreary night of death sets in upon 
me, which knows no breaking, no morn beyond it, 
and no star, until the voice of God shall shake earth's 
common grave. Farewell, martial confederates, un- 
til the resurrection morning, when we, from the long 
slumber of many centuries, shall burst the prison of 
death, and appear in the vast congregation of the 
final judgment. Farewell, terrestrial glory, for the 
red lightnings of earth's final conflagration shall 
dart across the azure vault with a gloomy magnifi- 



52 rice's orations. 

cence, such as the world never beheld. Farewell, 
my children and dear companion, until the com- 
missioned angel of God shall announce the last 
catastrophe of nature, and publish to heaven and 
earth by oath of affirmation, " Time shall be no 
longer." 

Most gladly would I now end my story, but I must 
follow the warrior across the bridgeless river and 
meet him at the last judgment. The veil of unbe- 
lief is now withdrawn from his eyes, and he sees 
his mediatorial hour past forever. That Savior who 
died, that the murderer might never die, has stores 
of wrath laid up against him. He stands self-con- 
demned amidst the judgment fires of God Almighty, 
and the Lamb. He becomes speechless at the aw- 
ful tragedy, and waits in despair to hear his last 
great sentence. The Judge assumes his seat and 
declares the retributions of eternity to men and an- 
gels : " Depart ye cursed into everlasting fire." 
Suddenly the warrior takes his flight to the region 
of the damned, where no voice of redemption shall 
ever salute his ear. In this pit of final perdition 
darkness presides. Here the seditious Jews and 
Romans that reiterated the cry of crucifixion against 
the Savior of the world, receive their reward. Here 
the adamantine soldier that pierced the Redeemer's 
side shall he retaliated for all his wrongs, and the 
blood thirsty murderers that nailed him to the cross 
with garments stained in blood. Here the disgrace- 
ful tyrants that have slain the apostles and disciples 
of the great Shepherd of the sheep with injustice, 
shall receive their reward. 

After all my entreaties, I expect millions of war- 
riors will wade through the Gospel of peace to hell. 
No price or petition can induce them to flee their 
approaching doom. Could I withdraw from the war- 
rior that veil which separates time from eternity, 
and excludes the wailings of the damned ! Could 
I fasten his eye on the bloody mantle, that shrouds 



ON WAR. 53 

the wounded spirit, which spent her day of grace in 
the field of carnage — opposing the peace of God and 
man ! Could I portray to his vision the red waves 
of endless fire, as they roll mountains high forever 
and ever, and beat on the undying sinner the surges 
of eternal death ! Could I inspire his heart with the 
sad reflection of the wounded soul in the world of 
woe, as she looks back on the day of grace forever 
lost ! Could I unfold to him the poor murderer's 
deep-toned wail, as his hope dies at the judgment 
sentence, and he sinks from the approbation of God, 
angels and Heaven ! methinks he would flee the 
field of death, and no longer rejoice in spurning the 
Gospel of his salvation, 

All the hosts of Heaven, and every friend of hu- 
manity, desire the warrior's reform, and fervently 
pray that those weapons of War, which have spilt 
rivers of blood, will soon be transmitted to eternal 
oblivion. The most powerful motives that can be 
drawn from three worlds. Heaven, earth and hell, 
call the warrior, like the voice of seven thunders, 
back to his native element. The society of saints 
and angels — the harps of gold — the songs of the 
New Jerusalem — the consolation of the Holy Spirit, 
and all the riches of Heaven, invite him to turn to 
God, and lay up his treasures above. The waters 
of salvatioia — the Tree of Life, and all the glories 
of the upper sanctuary, call him to flee from the 
wrath to come. And will he refuse the salvation of 
his soul ? If so, I must leave him to enter the abode 
of dying spirits — to plough the lake of fire, and 
wail in chains of lost hope, where tears of mercy 
shall never fall — where the blood of atonement no 
more shall salute his ear ; but death — eternal death ! 
and the society of lost angels shall be his portion 
forever. 

We have seen the fruits of the warrior in this 
vale of tears. We have followed him from his cra- 
dle to the tomb. We have passed over the river 



54 rice's orations. 

Jordan and described his undying woes, if he dies 
without hope. We have also seen the friend of 
peace as he journeys to his gloomy sepulchre. We 
have followed him to the spirit land, and beheld his 
glory beyond the grave. And in viewing the sub- 
ject, we see an awful contrast between the peace- 
maker and the warrior. The one breathes conta- 
gion and death ! The other expands his wings of 
mercy. Over one rest clouds and darkness ! Over 
the other, the Star of Bethlehem, and the Gospel of 
peace. One makes his bed in hell ! While the 
other looks with an eye single for the joys beyond 
the tomb. 

Many are led to believe there is no better way of 
settling contentions between nations, than by the 
sword. But this imagination is nought but the 
phantasm of the brain, and expires like the sound 
of the bell floating on the breeze. To use the sword, 
will only add fuel to the fire already enkindled, 
while the waters of condescension will immediately 
quench the flame. Difficulties between nations 
should be settled by Arbitration, and not by the 
shedding of blood. This should be one of the laws 
embodied in the constitution of every nation or king- 
dom on the globe. If this were the case, how easy 
would the small fires of malice be quenched, which 
so often end in general devastation and death. Let 
this principle be adopted, and the conflagrations of 
War will soon be extinguished from the world, and 
the balmy wings of peace and mercy cover the 
globe. 



ORATION III. 
ON THE ATONEMENT. 

' Who gave Himself a Ransom for all-"— 1 Timothy ii. 6. 



When man was created by the fing^er of God, he 
bore the pure image of his Maker, and was happy 
in the garden of Eden — his heart was full of re- 
joicing, and heat high in anticipation of a glorious 
immortality. But how soon his hope expired, his 
happiness blasted, and his prospect of future bliss 
lost forever ! How fatal was that treason which 
drove him from his Paradise — brought death into the 
world, and all our wo — excluded the approbation of 
God to man, and left him under the doleful execra- 
tion of his disobedience ! He was expelled from 
the garden, became a stranger to virtue, and a lost 
alien to God. Those joys which would have been 
his forever, by fatal transgression died ; and his 
glorious hope, once founded on a Rock, has been 
transmitted to the grave of oblivion, while his me- 
ridian sun set in the gloom of night. This is the 
direful history of man — this the gloomy dirge of his 
mortality. 

Now methinks the light of Heaven is excluded, 
and mankind without hope. His lost Paradise seems 
irrevocable, and a ransom is beyond his power. If 
he gives his body as a sacrifice for sin, it cannot re- 
deem his soul from death. Though he may shed 
the blood of beasts on the altar, as an oblation for 
his guilt, it will not appease the vengeance of God, 
nor expiate for one of his transgressions ; for it must 



56 rice's orations. 

needs be a perfect sacrifice to atone for the guilty. All. 
the offerings ever offered up to God in the antedilu- 
vian world, had in themselves no efficacy to pardon 
sin, but were set forth as a type of Him who was to 
suffer without the gates of Jerusalem, and " make 
an offering once for all." Thus we see man plung- 
ed in the gloom of night, chained in his prison of 
moral darkness, having lost communion with his 
Maker, and possesses no power to recall it. 

But at length the commiseration of Heaven mov- 
ed for a guilty world. The Almighty spoke by in- 
terrogation in the courts above, saying, " Who will 
descend to the realm of man — endure his infamy — 
by him be buffeted and put to death, to save a world 
of sinners lost 1" As this question pervaded through 
the heavenly mansions, methinks the lyres of an- 
gels ceased, and all was silence in Heaven, wonder- 
ing at this astonished scene. Not an angel among 
all the heavenly hosts could answer the question. 
At length the Son of God appeared, and with a 
voice sweeter than seraphs use, proclaimed — " Lo 
I come, as it is written, to do thy will, O my God !'* 
At this answer, which promised salvation to the sin- 
ner, methinks angels again tuned their harps, and 
sung in higher notes of rapture to his name, in an- 
ticipation of an increase to their celestial throng. 

From the height of majesty, glory, and superla- 
tive bliss, the Son of God descended, was clad for 
a season in the garments of mortality, and took his 
abode among the children of men, degenerated in 
Adam's fall. Vast was his condescension. He by 
whom all things were created ,- whose omnipotent 
energy pervades eternity, and presides with the Fa- 
ther over all creation, was pleased in satisfying 
Divine justice to withdraw from his sceptre, and 
endure the burlesque of an insidious world, that he 
might redeem them by his sufferings, and bring 
them home to God. Exercised with tender commise- 
ration for our race, he left the society of angels, cast 



ON THE ATONEMENT. 57 

off his royal diadem, and with speedy flight urged 
his passage to this lower world, proving himself to 
be the greatest Messenger that ever visited the abode 
of man. 

Let us follow the star to Bethlehem, where the 
Son of God first manifested himself incarnate ! Be- 
hold he is born in a stable, and cradled in a manger, 
where the horned ox was wont to feed ! No room 
could be found in the Inn, for this glorious person- 
age from Heaven. Man was too proud to welcome 
the Savior in his humble advent. The Jews looked 
for his appearance in all the grandeur of his power; 
and, therefore, would not receive him. But they 
were disappointed in their expectation concerning 
the Messiah. Instead of appearing in the splendor 
of the upper world, he took upon him the form of a 
servant ; he became of no reputation — and therefore 
was looked upon with contempt by the wicked 
Jews. 

Angels at our Savior's appearance left the celes- 
tial city — passed the portal gates, and with hasty 
precipitation descended to this lower world, loudly 
proclaiming to the shepherds the birth of the Babe 
of Bethlehem — filling the air with their heavenly 
notes — exclaiming, " Glory to God in the highest, 
peace on earth, and good will to men." Well might 
these angels be filled with flaming fire, when they 
saw a lost world about to be redeemed, and a vast 
number of aliens converted to their ethereal choir, to 
surround the throne of God, in ascribing all glory 
and honor to the Lamb, who was then appear- 
ing for their everlasting salvation. This con- 
gratulation of angels shows there is rejoicing 
with them in Heaven " over one sinner that re- 
penteth." 

It seems the Savior had greater mercy for us 
than for those apostate angels Avho trespassed on 
the laws of Heaven, and incurred the displeasure 
of God ; for which they are " Reserved under 



58 rice's orations. 

chains of darkness, unto the Judgment of the 
great day." Their sins being so much greater than 
man's, that to them the gate of mercy is closed for- 
ever. 

We are informed but little about the life of our 
Savior until he arrived at the age of twelve years. 
At this time he began to display his wonderful pow- 
ers of mind, by conversing among the learned in the 
Temple — hearing them and asking them questions. 
Doubtless he was subject unto his parents, until he 
began to announce the great work for which he de- 
scended from Heaven. 

But a little further, and we behold the tragical 
scene for which Jesus left the bosom of his Father, 
and took his abode among the children of men. A 
scene which burst the strong hold of iniquity, and 
made it possible for man to escape from its dark 
dominions. The barred gate, which the apostacy 
of man had shut, flew wide — the road to the portals 
of Paradise became unobstructed, and again made 
spontaneous for the sons of men. At such a scene 
as this, well might the darkness recede — the light 
of Heaven shine — and the beatific splendor of the 
Son of God beam with brilliancy on the apostate race 
of Adam. 

Reader, I am now going about the most tremend- 
ous transaction ever witnessed by man. It is the 
passion of the LAMB of GOD — " who was seen of 
angels — believed on by Gentiles — preached unto the 
world — and reascended into glory ; who is the 
brightness of the Father, and the express image of 
his person ; by whom God inade the worlds, and 
by whom all things consist ; having purged our 
sins, and wrought out everlasting salvation for all 
who believe ;" which salvation is now in contem- 
plation. 

my soul ! follow thy Savior to the first and last 
sufferings that were ever introduced for the salvation 
of man ! Follow him to the garden of Gethsemane, 



ON THE ATONEMENT. 59 

where agonizing groans were pressed from his bo- 
som, as he sweat great drops of blood, which fell to 
the ground ! Behold him pouring forth an ejacula- 
tion to Heaven, ere the wicked and seditious clan 
led him to Pilate's bar ! See that catastrophe which 
makes Heaven weep that man might smile, and Je- 
sus bleed that man might never die ! Witness the 
Darling of Heaven, now burdened with that load 
which would have crushed a world to hell, drinking 
the bitter cup of the wrath of God ! But lo ! the 
blessed Jesus — the glorious personage of Heaven — 
bears in his own body the guilt due to man ! For- 
saken by his disciples, and partially forsaken by his 
Father, he breathes forth his mighty pra«/er, while 
the purple tide in streams of mercy gushed through 
every pore ! Here the load of guilt, that binds the 
sinner in endless death, pressed heavily on the Son 
of God ! Here the chains that manacle in darkness 
the deathless spirit, burst in sunder by virtue of his 
blood ! And while in this awful tragedy, one of his 
own chosen lifts up his heel against him, and sells 
his Master to the wicked Jews. Jesus ends his prayer 
to God, and Judas the traitor betrays him with a 
kiss, while the multitude, with staves in their hands, 
lead him away to the court of the Jews ! Ye angels 
of glory, tell me if ye can, if such mercy was ever 
found, except in the bosom of the Son of God? What 
tongue can describe that scene, which God alone 
could display ? no minor power — an angel's pen 
must prove deficient there ! 

The love of the blessed Jesus surpasses all human 
understanding. Often in the forest, where no mor- 
tal beheld him, he has offered up prayers for sinners, 
and abundantly labored for their recovery. The 
cold mountains and surging billows have witnessed 
his kind devotion, and fervent prayers for a guilty 
world. He was often seen to weep, but never seen 
to laugh. The Jews resisted his tears, which he 
had shed over their city, even unto death. I behold 



60 rice's orations. 

him at the grave of Lazarus weeping with thosei 
who wept. He cried with the voice of God, " Laz- 
arus come forth ;" and death immediately gave 
up his prey. Thus we see the boundless love of 
Jesus exhibited from the cradle to the tomb. 

Let us now follow our Redeemer to the most tra- 
gical scene that was ever passed on earth ! Follow 
him to Pilate's bar, where the envious Jews would 
fain crucify the Lord of life — crying " away with 
him — it is not fit that he should live !" Thus the 
Judge of all the earth received sentence by frail 
mortals — by them was nailed to the cross, and by 
this seditious faction was crucified and slain. Pilate, 
unwilling to put him to death, delivered him into 
the hands of the Jews and Romans, to do as they 
would, finding no fault in the man. Now they be- 
gin their mockery, by striping him quite naked ! 
They crown him with a wreath of thorns, to satiate 
the infernal malice of the faction, and beat them in- 
to his sacred temples, until his face is besmeared 
with gore ! See his back with lashes torn, stream- 
ing with blood, by which we are healed ! This is 
he, who " was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and 
as a sheep dumb before .her shearers, so he opened 
not his mouth. In his humiliation his judgment 
was taken away, and who shall declare his genera- 
tion ?" He arose the steep ascent of persecution — 
" He led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men." 
This is the Lord, mighty in his strength, vast in 
Redemption, and strong to save. 

At length he ascends the summit of Calvary, 
where he makes Heaven marvel, and all but vicious 
men and angels lament his final groans ! As he 
ascends the mount, he faints under the ponderous 
load ; and " they compel a Cyrenean to bear the 
cross with Jesus." The soldiers dig the hole in 
which the cross is to be erected — thev nail him to 
the same, and rear it up. He is now a solemn spec- 
tacle to Heaven and earth, expiring the ignominious 



ON THE ATONEMENT. 61 

death of a malefactor — yet pure as the TREE of 
LIFE! 

Where shall we find parallel sufferings to those 
on Calvary? Pervade earth, Heaven, and hell, and 
no such scene arises to our view. " It is true, for a 
good man some would dare to die ; but while we 
were yet sinners Christ died for the ungodly," No- 
thing would satisfy the vindictive justice of the Al- 
mighty's wrath on merited man, but the vital fluid of 
the SON of GOD. He drank the cup of sufferings 
even to its dregs, that we may be blameless at the 
day of retribution ; having the righteousness of 
Christ through faith unto salvation. 

Was ever love like this ? Was ever benevolence 
so far extended ere this grand transaction ? When 
the ponderous hammer beat the nails through his 
hands, instead of crying out with the keen agonies 
they extorted, he meekly endured it with prayers for 
his cruel murderers. It was his groans, his heart- 
felt sufferings, and the load of guilt he bore for us, 
which opened the gate to Heaven, and purchased 
that pardon which makes the hell-bound sinner 
free. 

As his expiring groans drew near, and the Lamb 
of God was about to languish in the icy arms of 
death, the scene was too big for nature to witness ; 
she hid her face in sable gloom, and at the sight 
withdrew. The vast Luminary of heaven, whose 
light was never excluded except at short intervals 
since the organization of the solar system, now re- 
fused to shine for the space of three hours. At the 
great phenomenon of our Savior's passion, the dead 
could not sleep — bursting from their shrines, many 
of the saints appeared in Jerusalem. The veil of the 
Temple was rent in twain, from top to bottom — the 
rocks rent — and methinks the whole earth, while 
clad in mourning, shook to her centre at this tre- 
mendous scene. 

At the time of execution, a mother's heart was 



62 rice's orations. 

there. She saw her Savior and her God in the ago- 
nies of death. Her soul was depressed with a pon- 
derous load — her heart was ready to burst with an- 
guish — her bosom writhed with sorrow for her Son, 
now in the atoning crisis for nefarious man. Dear 
was that affection which bound her heart to the in- 
carnate Savior. Shall a mother forget her Son, 
when dying groans assail, and separation draweth 
near ? 

What language can describe her mournful silence, 
as she sat by the cross, with her eyes directed to the 
fatal tree, where hung her hope — the solace of her 
care ? " And must this Son, in whom is heaven, 
leave me to mark my future life with sorrows seal- 
ed by his expiring groans ? Can I give up the dar- 
ling of my heart, and roam this inclement world, 
where murderers thirst for blood ?" But, alas ! He 
died. She heard his final prayer — bewailed his fatal 
sufferings — her blood was chilled with the mournful 
tragedy. Confounded by the rueful scene, she be- 
dewed the foot of the cross with tears. She writhed 
with convulsive pain. Her soul was in an agony. 
At length Jesus exclaimed from the fatal tree, in ac- 
cents mild, " Woman, behold thy Son ;" and to that 
disciple whom he loved, " Behold thy Mother ;" 
then bade a hostile world adieu. 

Wonder, my soul ! that sinners could remain 
adamant at that solemn, groan which veiled the sun 
in darkness, and hid his beams from our opacious 
Avorld ! Solemn silence appeared, as if the work of 
God was mourning for the wickedness of man, and 
the machine of nature faint by the wonderful dis- 
plays of Calvary. Every countenance bore the in- 
dex of a smitten conscience, and the marvelous ex- 
hibition pervaded the creature man. The affrighted 
fowls of the air fled with haste to their benighted 
habitations — the grazing herds retired from their 
pastures, and gazed with wonder on the untimely 
darkness around them. The beasts of the forest 



ON THE ATONEMENT. 63 

repaired with speed to their caverns, and all but 
man believed the nocturnal shades had appeared. 

At this catastrophe, nature changed her beaute- 
ous colors for the sable garb of mourning. The sky, 
adorned with pleasing azure, was inverted for the 
gloom of night. Angels that surround the throne 
of God changed their song of adoration, to the grave 
elegy of Heaven expired, and reclined their heads 
upon the cloud of misery, bedewed with redeeming 
blood. The infernal angels and wicked spirits were 
humming their hostile songs of joy, and hellish vic- 
tory, over the plastic Father's Son. They echo 
the theme through our world, " The Prince of life 
is slain," while devils incarnate promulgate " amen." 

Awake, my soul, to thy Savior's dying pangs ! A 
sudden trembling shook the ground I Mount Cal- 
vary vibrated with amazement, and the vaults of the 
dead were laid open ! Great was the concussion — 
the rocks cleaved asunder — the graves expanded — 
the dead were borne from thence in triumph, while 
the convicted sinner shook with dread alarm ! Sure- 
ly a God was there ; for chance never revolted from 
order in creation, to cause the miracles witnessed at 
the death of Heaven's Son ! 

The darkness that covered Judea was well known 
to be supernatural, for it made a Heathen philoso- 
pher exclaim, " Either the world is at an end, or 
the God of nature suffers." Those that beheld the 
sufferings of our Savior and saw them accompanied 
with such a wonderful exhibition of miraculous pow- 
er, smote their breast and returned to their dwellings 
with minds of pensive gloom. O Jerusalem ! Jeru- 
salem ! thou hast slain the prophets and apostles ! 
and to render thy case doubly dreadful ! thou hast 
crucified the Savior of all thy mercies, and sealed 
thy eternal doom. 

After our Savior poured forth his last groans upon 
the cross, and had yielded up his spirit into the hands 
of his almighty Father, a soldier, either out of wan- 



64 rice's orations. 

tonness or envy, pierced our Redeemer's side, fronj 
whence the blood and water flowed in ample stream's^ 
to perfect that Atonement for which our Savior left 
the courts of Heaven. It is said by some, the spear 
reached his heart ; be that as it may, it doubtless 
reached the pericardium, which would have put an 
end to his existence, had he not before expired. This 
came to pass in agreement with ancient prophecy. 
" They shall look on him whom they have pierced, 
and mourn." 

When this rueful scene had ended — when the 
Lord of glory had bidden valediction to the clay 
tenement then expanded on the tree of death, and 
angels had hailed his happy spirit to his celestial 
kingdom, Joseph of Arimathea, went boldly unto Pi- 
late and " craved the body of Jesus." Being assist- 
ed by Nicodemus, they took his body, embalmed it 
with spices, and laid it in a sepulchre wherein never 
man was laid. 

O death ! never did thy dark domain contain, 
such a prisoner before ! But how short was thy 
boasted victory ? Scarce three days had expired be- 
fore thy icy chains gave way, and thou didst stand 
afar off, like an enemy put to flight, as this mighty 
Conqueror bursts through Joseph's tomb, and tri- 
umphed over the grave. Jesus, once a pale and 
bloody corpse, pressed the floor of the gloomy sepul- 
chre. Jesus arose from his bed of death with power 
far surpassing that of Samson, when he awoke from 
a transient slumber. Pilate's guard at his resurrec- 
tion, fell like dead men around the tomb. This tells 
the climax in the history of our Savior — this com- 
pletes the work of man's Redemption. And in spite 
of all the malice of the Jews, who by their treach- 
ery, bribed the soldiers to publish a fiction to the 
world, the truth and power of his resurrection has 
been wielded by the finger of God, and will survive 
the ages of time, and forever live on the records of 
immortality. 



ON THE ATONEMENT. 65 

As he arose from the grave, I behold a female form 
,with spirit born of God. She weeps for the depar- 
ture of one she loves. Her hope has almost expired, 
•for she has lost her only Savior. The gloom of night 
(Shrouds her soul as she bends over the grave of Je- 
isus. She looks with startled eyes, for her Lord is 
(not there. Again she lets fall the bitter tear, and 
, turns about to leave the tomb in search of her Mas- 
,ter. While weeping she beholds a man she has often 
seen before, but she knew him not. He said unto 
her, " Mary !" At this well known voice, hope re- 
vived, and the dark cloud of despair gave way as she 
lembraced her Savior. 

I my soul ! take sanctuary under the TREE of 
■LIFE ! be cheered by the exhilarating brilliancy of 
its winds, then, though the elements shall melt with 
fervent heat, and the heavens be inverted into the 
dark profoundity of annihilation ; though the wicked 
take their bed in hell, and damned spirits bewail their 
isad destiny to all eternity ; hid in this saving pavil- 
ion, thou shalt be wafted through the gloom, and in 
Jordan's swelling waves, angels shall escort thee 
to that supernal city, paved with richest gold, and 
filled with a A^ast number of the blood-washed 
throng. 

Thus we see what the blessed Jesus has done for 
guilty man. When he was clothed in his garments 
of mire and pollution — when he was exposed to the 
vengeance of God's holy law — under the penalty of 
eternal death, and could make no expiation for his 
crimes, Jesus, the Sinner's Friend, who alone could 
atone for transgressions, took upon him the nature of 
man — became his substitute, and endured the most 
ignominious death of the cross, to make an Atone- 
ment for the sins of the world, and bring man into 
a salvable state, whereby his iniquities might be for- 
given, and his soul saved through repentance, and 
faith in his Redeemer, in endless life beyond the 
grave. On these premises we see God and man 
5 



66 kice's orations. 

reconciled by the blood of Jesus, for thus it is writii 
ten, " He that believeth on the Son, hath evertlast- 
ing life." 

After our Savior had finished the great Atone- 
ment by his resurrection from the grave, short was 
his stay on earth. Earth was too mean, too low a 
habitation to contain him longer. Scarce forty days 
had expired, until he led his disciples out as far as 
Bethany, and gave them his last verbal commission. 
The pensive scene of separation was now at hand. 
And while he yet spake, behold a bright cloud ap- 
peared, in which he ascended out of sight. As he 
soared aloft, two men stood by them in white ap- 
parel, which said, " Ye men of Gallilee, why stand 
ye gazing up into Heaven ? this same Jesus shall 
so come again in like manner as he now ascend- 
eth." 

Jesus has trod the dreadful path and smoothed it 
for our passport. Jesus sleeping in the mansion of 
the tomb, has brightened the way, and left a conso- 
ling perfume in the dismal beds of the dust. He 
that partakes the efficacy of a Savior's blood need 
not fear the summons of the king of terrors — being 
clothed upon by the God of all grace, he may exi 
claim with David, " Though I pass through the dark 
valley and shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for 
thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me." Jordan's 
bridgeless river, is the only way that conveys any of 
the lost race to Heaven, for his ransom only eman- 
cipates from the second death. 

At the shrine of this Atonement all human ambi- 
tion dies — the ensanguined conqueror pauses — the 
royal crown falls from the imperial grasp — the blos- 
som dies in the patriot's garland — the Jewish phi- 
lacteries expire, and all the wealth and honors of 
the world are lighter than air, when compared to 
the blessed Gospel. 

By the sufferings of the cross the Heathen gods 
begin to tremble — the Ganges ceases to mingle with 



ON THE ATONEMENT. 67 

•the blood of her Adctims — the spell of Brahma is 
■dissolving — the wheels of Juggernaut are scarce 
ensanguined — the custom of self-immolation is fast 
■expiring — the warrior hastens to the Gospel stand- 
sard — Africa begins to rise from her degradation — 
fthe news of the Atonement breaks in upon her, 
iwhile the benighted sons and daughters of the Gen- 
stile world, are emerging from darkness into light. 
•Such is the power of this redemption which brings 
.hope to man. 

• But for whom was the vast exhibition of the Sa- 
fvior's sufferings ? For whom was the unparalleled 
■majesty of his resurrection displayed, when he burst 
Ithe grave and triumphed over his great and last 
lenemy ? It was for all the lost race of Adam. For 
■all those persons of pollution, who by nature are 
strangers to God, and live without hope in the world. 
iFor it is written, "That he died for all, and rose 
again." " That he is the propitiation for our sins, 
■and not for ours only, but for the sins of the whole 
iworld." " That he gave himself a ransom for all, 
Ito be testified in due time." And when angels sung 
■" Glory to God in the highest, peace on earth and 
•good will to men," their love was universal, for 
;they saw the remedy was adequate to the disease 
lof man. But again we see it recorded in the sacred 
^volume, " Behold the LAMB of GOD, that taketh 
away the sins of the world." Here the rich news 
■of Heaven salutes the sinner's ear. Here the doc- 
trine confirmed by the eternal Savior, commiserates 
■the woes of man, and the waters of the River of 
Life have become free as the limpid stream. There 
•is no contraction in this vast Atonement, for it ex- 
■tends to every quarter of the globe, where sin has 
contaminated the human race. 

( Behold the sufferer who is sentenced to his gloomy 
cell, in the lonely prison through life. His hope is 
(lost to all future exemption. Horrible gloom covers 
Ms soul, and the chains of his fatal destiny clangor 



68 rice's orations. 

on his ear. The news of pardon suddenly reaches 
his abode. The messenger bears the glad tidings 
of his reprieve, and flashes of light greet his trou- 
bled soul. His chains fall off. He leaps like the 
bounding roe, and again breathes the pure atmos- 
phere of freedom among his brethren. But how 
faint the emblem ? I see the sinner in his mire and , 
pollution. He is covered with wounds, bruises, andj 
putrifying sores. The sentence of death is upon! 
him, and no created arm can save him from his fatal 
execution. But his woes are magnified beyond the 
shores of time. The groans of eternal death mustj 
swell the history of his last destiny. Those fires, 
that never shall be quenched, shall increase his suf-l 
ferings, " Where the Avorm dieth not," and hopei 
never comes. But suddenly the light of Heaven) 
breaks in upon him. The sound of man's redempH 
tion echoes through the upper world, and angelai 
quickly bear the news to earth which swells thei 
song of victory and brings hope to man. " Righti 
eousness and truth have met together." " Mercy| 
and peace have kissed each other." i 

But all the commiseration of the Son of God — I 
the ponderous agony which he endured in Gethi 
semane — his sufferings on the brow of Calvary — his 
resurrection from Joseph's sepulchre — his interces- 
sion with the Father, and all the glories of the up-, 
per world, cannot save the sinner from the wrath to, 
come, except he forsakes his sins and gives up his; 
heart to God. The Savior has done all he can, con-i 
sistent with his own nature, for the salvation of marj 
in the world to come. All the invitations of thd 
Qospel — the Spirit of God — the prayers of Chris-I 
tians — the groans of Calvary, and the agonies of 
hell, conspire to urge the sinner to turn to God and 
lay up his treasure in the fair climes above. But in 
spite of all the warnings of Scripture — the remorse 
of conscience, and the eternal groans of lost spirits; 
he is determined to make his bed in hell, and laj 



ON THE ATONEMENT. 69 

down in eternal sorrows. Follow him, my soul ! 
;o his last destiny. Behold him across the isthmus 
;)f death, chained by demons, ready to make his 
plunge in the lake of fire. He enters his dark do- 
iinain, never to rise again. He looks back on the 
/shores of time, with sorrows not to be repeated or 
jver forgotten. The love of Jesus — his bloody sweat 
iin the garden — his prayer on the cross, forever ring 
with lost hope on his dying ear. Such must be his 
E amentation in the long dreary night of eternity ! 
iSuch the sinner's doom if he rejects the offered 
!nercy of his Savior. 

' But if the sinner loses Heaven, he loses all things. 
iThe song of redemption chanted by saints above 
fihall never salute his ear. The ambrosial fields of 
he sons of God, shall never greet his eyes. The 
3)ure waters of the River of Life, shall never slake 
J lis thirst for bliss. The delicious frait of the Tree 
i)f Life will be excluded from his presence, and no 
i-ubilee shall ever cheer his deathless soul. The 
■rlory of angels that congratulate each other from the 
ops of the holy mountains, shall be forever lost to 
-lis vision, and in its stead the cries of lost spirits 
riihall pierce his heart. All the splendor of the New 
c'^erusalem — her streets of richest gold — her walls of 
Hmbrosial sculpture, and the fair harps of Heaven, 
i]in which angels sing the eternal song of thanks- 
t^iving to God and the Lamb, shall be lost to the 
i inner if he dies without hope. All heaven is lost. 
nToo late he begins his wailing and tears ! for his 
fihains of perdition are commensurate to the wrath 
liif God, and no boon of Calvary or redemption 
'ijhrough the sinner's Friend, shall ever enter the 
cibode of lost spirits with the rich news of exemption 
[itbr the gloomy prisoner. The mercy he has slight- 
[i;d — the Savior he has spurned, and all the bliss 
k'f celestial spirits will roll mountains high, and swell 
ais cries as he makes his last plunge in the lake 
i<{ fire. 



70 rice's orations. 

But how can I leave the eternity-bound sinner in 
his guilt and pollution, for whom mercy pleads, and 
for whom Jesus bled and died ? sinner ! I anti- 
cipate thy fearful doom, if thou pursueth even unto 
death the inclinations of thy wicked heart. The 
clouds of darkness will soon gather around thee, 
amidst the volcanoes of the resurrection morning, 
and the fiery indignation of the last Judgment. 
And although thy soul and body ere that day may 
be separated, and take their positions, one in the 
grave, and the other in the spirit's abode of final 
destiny; yet the voice of the last trumpet shall awake 
thy slumbering dust, and summons thy spirit from 
her gloomy realm, to form a reunion, never to be 
separated, 

Methinks I hear the sinner's cry in the last 
phenomena of nature, " Rocks and mountains falloa 
me, and hide me from the face of him who sits upon 
the throne." " Ye waves of the ocean roll over m^ 
that I may be shrouded from the presence of my 
Judge." " Let me fall into annihilation, that I may 
escape the woes of my eternal sufferings, and have 
no knowledge of future sorrows." But in vain he 
puts up his maniac prayer; for justice shall preside 
through all the councils of God, and the rich grace 
he once slighted shall be turned into wrath against 
him. 

But are there no charms for sinners in the grea^ 
exhibition of the cross ? Can there not be found a 
lenient balm that pardons deviation, and soothes the 
mourning prisoner ? Yes, ye blood-bought and im- 
mortality-bound sinners, for whom Jesus died, your 
hope is expanded on the cursed tree, where just be- 
neath vast mountains fall by the deep groans youi 
Savior bore. When you were with intrepidity stem- 
ming the crimsoned torrent for endless death ; virhen 
your feet were placed on the crumbling margin, 
and the billows of devouring fire were rolling 
just below; when there was not a span between 



ON THE ATONEMENT. 71 

you and that death which never dies, a Savior's 
jlpity moved and saved you from the flames. 
I sinners ! could I attract your attention to the 
I' gloomy garden, and to the summit of Calvary, where 
p hangs your peril or safe-guard through future years ! 
5 Could I fix your minds with that sensitive vision a 
i' spirit feels, when condemned by a holy law ! Could 
' I spread before you the cruel and unjust pangs of 
' Heaven incarnate, when darkness veiled our globe ! 
( In a word, could I show you your wretched situation 
5 by nature, and what you must be by grace to es- 
■ cape the wrath to come, methinks ye would no 
'' longer trample under foot the cries of mercy, or 
'rejoice in wading through a Savior's BLOOD to 
J HELL ! 

Perhaps you are by this time led to think my ex- 
hortation is too extreme. But being conscious now 
' is the only time for your escape, I cannot by evasion 
' bury the truth in oblivion, which if you die in your 
'present situation will rise up in judgment against 
[ your never dying souls. Then it will be too late to 
'. proclaim salvation, for the door of mercy will be shut 
I against you, and a Savior's blood will no longer fol- 
low after with the voice of pardon. Come, fellow 
sinners, and try redeeming love. Bury the weap- 
ons of rebellion, and by the fountain of salvation re- 
ceive ablution from all your sins. The voice of 
mercy now; invites you to the Well of Life. Mercy 
pleads on your behalf, and desires your exemption 
from the fall. Sheath the dirk that will soon lavish 
your blood, and convey you to the woes of eternal 
pain. Be no longer a branch of that vine which 
produces bitter fruit ; but be engrafted into the 
true vine, which contributes life and joy to the 
1 soul. 

I must now leave the sinner, and would to God I 
could leave him in the arms of my Savior, that he 
might be counted worthy to escape the wrath to come, 
and make one of that happy nnmber that shall shine 



72 rice's orations. 

in Heaven, " as the stars of the firmament, forever 
and ever." 

A word to the soldiers of the Cross, and I have done 
Ye Christian followers of the Lord ! You have 
traced the life of your Savior from the cradle to the 
tomb. You have seen his resurrection from the dead, 
and his ascension into Heaven. You have also be- 
held the misery of the sinner, if he dies without 
hope. Drop one grateful tear at the mournful exhi- 
bition you have witnessed, and set out with double 
diligence for Canaan's happy land. Imbibe a reso- 
lution to leave this worthless world behind, with all 
that earth calls good or great. When you were in 
the open field of pollution, and no mortal could re- 
deem you from the precipice on which you tottered ; 
when your feet stood upon the gliding mountain of 
sin and error, from which a small concussion would 
have precipitated you into the dark mansion of eter- 
nal death ! when there was but a step between you 
and everlasting burnings, a Savior ushered in his 
richest grace by innocent blood, which saves you 
from the calid flame, and confirms to you, through 
obedience, a joyful region in the skies. Had it not 
been for your ransom by the scenes of Calvary, 
where would be your hope ? Lost in oblivion to all 
the joys of Heaven. You were condemned by that 
law which could not be appeased by the blood of 
beasts, or the vital fluid of man. Your condition 
would have remained entirely hopeless,, had not 
the door of mercy been expanded by the tragedy 
of the garden, and the expiring groans of the 
Cross. 

If so much has been done for you, fellow Chris- 
tians ; if the ransom of your liberty cost nothing less 
than the groans of Heaven ! I admonish you by the 
voice of reason, be not backward in the service of 
your Lord. Let your lamps be well trimmed and 
burning, that you may show forth to the world that 
you are bound for a city out of sight, "■ whose maker 



ON THE ATONEMENT. 73 

and builder is God." You need not be ashamed of 
your espousal to the Lamb ; for he is worthy of 
your utmost attention, and most pious service. He 
claims your highest interest, and demands your 
homage at the peril of your souls. What has he 
not done to bless and to save you ? His mercy in- 
terposed on your behalf, while justice slept — razed 
the strong-hold of death, by the bringing in a better 
hope ; and embalmed the grave with odors, bought 
with blood ! In him, fellow Christians, is your only 
security, your everlasting joy. 

You are engaged in a cause pleasing to angels. 
Every holy being in the universe of God rejoices in 
your pious devotion, your enrolment in the cause of 
Christ, your endeavors for the spread of the Gospel, 
and your everlasting welfare. Be not weary in well 
doing ; for you will reap an eternal reward if you 
faint not, when Christ shall be revealed from Hea- 
ven, with crowns of victory for all his faithful wor- 
shippers. Be not discouraged, though the world op- 
pose you in the cause of Christ ; for you know that 
such opposition existed when your Redeemer was 
on earth. Let not your hearts faint in the service 
of him who has done so much for you ; but rather 
the more diligently persevere ; " That you may be 
called the children of your Father which is in Hea- 
ven," and stand upon that Rock which remains im- 
pregnable, and will stand the test when our flaming 
world shall be one general mass of fire. 

Eternity-bound souls ! the time is short until our 
probation must cease, and we leave a world of im- 
mortal beings, bound for the bar to which we are 
fast hastening — the greater part in the dark laby- 
rinth of superstition, vice, and error. Every pass- 
ing moment — every heaving breath — every throb- 
bing motion of the heart — curtail our transient term 
of life, and bring us nearer the period when no eja- 
culation can ascend to Heaven, or admonitions of 
caution be imparted to the multitude of immortal 



74 rice's orations. 

souls living without Christ in the world. Could we 
live in reference to eternity, how Avould this nether 
world sink beneath our feet, and all its objects in 
brighter visions lost ? How should we be excited in 
the publication of that news, purchased by a once 
crucified and again risen Savior — flying from house 
to house, and from city to city, announcing the glad 
notice to the unconverted number, of free salvation 
from the wrath to come ? 

Time is short I ye fellow workers with Jesus, 
let the weight of eternity rest upon you — -let the 
cries of a Savior's blood cease not to be published 
Avith your voices to surrounding sinners, as long as 
you have breath ; for in so doing you may be able 
to extinguish the cry of neglect at the judgment day. 
If we trifle away this transient day of time in the 
neglect of Gospel requirements, what shall we do 
at the day of retribution, Avhen a Savior will be 
ashamed of us before the angels of Heaven ? Every 
moment is big with eternal realities. Every step 
we take — every act we perform, and every transpir- 
ing thought, are recorded in the book of final de- 
cision, by the unerring pen of the great Testator. 
Let us " work while the day lasts, for the night 
cometh when no man can work." Do we love im- 
mortal souls ? If so, ho IV can we sleep, when ere 
the setting sun, many departing spirits will take 
their bed in hell by the seal of death ? We see 
multitudes of the human race slighting their only 
hope of happiness, and shall we hide the lajiap of 
Heaven from their sight ? If so, their blood will be 
required at our hands. 

Ye Christian pilgrims of God! To you I make 
my last appeal I and if you ever felt grief for an- 
other's wo, you must feel on this solemn occasion ! 
You are called to witness the death-bed of a sinner, 
whose iniquities have been arrayed before him by 
all the terrors of a broken law, and the conviction 
of a guilty soul ! He looks back on his past life, 



ON Christ's second advent. 75 

and the burden of sin rolls mountains high, while 
arrows of deep conviction pierce his heart ! He 
looks forward, and in a few moments expects his day 
of life will terminate forever ! He raves like a ma- 
niac within the walls of his clay tenement — while 
death pursues him close through every lane of life ! 
The waves of guilt and pollution roll on behind him, 
while demons around his bed are waiting to bear 
his spirit to the abodes of the damned ! In these 
his dying emotions, he struggles hard for retreat, 
but finds no refuge from the approaching storm ! 
He exclaims, under his conscious load of guilt, and 
his day of grace expired, " Oh, time ! time ! how 
art thou fled forever !" Thus, he has lost his day 
of mercy, while his meridian sun sinks in the gloom 
of nisrht ! 



ORATION IV. 
ON CHRIST'S SECOND ADVENT. 



'And these shall go away into everlasting punishment ; but the righteous 
into life eternal."' — Matthew xxv. 46. 



When I contemplate the works of nature's God — 
when I behold the wonders of creation in endless 
variety — when I see mountains and lakes, rivers and 
oceans, valley and vegetation, man and beast, and 
the vast multitudes of monsters in the watery deep, 
that dart their way through the simless medium — 
when I behold the fashion and motions of the world 
we inhabit, as she appears in all her grandeur — 
when I consider her speedy flight as she makes her 



76 rice's orations. ' 

vast elliptic around the centre of the solar system, I 
am constrained to ascribe the glory to my Sa- 
vior — the Creator of this vast machinery — " By 
whom God made the worlds," and who, according 
to his own assertion, is " the Resurrection and the 
life." 

From chaotic embryo, when all was darkness and 
confusion, God, in the greatness of his strength, 
stretched forth his hand, and the world was made. 
He spoke, and his mighty pillars studded the uni- 
verse. He touched the element, and the azure vault 
surrounded the habitation of man. He said, " Let 
there be light," and light sprung into existence. 
He stretched out the heavens as a curtain, and crea- 
ted the mighty orb of day in all its splendor, to en- 
lighten our benighted world. He rode upon the 
wings of the wind, while angels cast their crowns 
at his feet. This is He who shall appear, and with 
a voice louder than ten thousand thunders, shall 
wake the sleeping dead from the mansions of the 
grave. 

But we have only viewed the suburbs of his crea- 
tion. This abode of man is but a mere speck in the 
universe of God. Strike it from existence, and it 
would hardly leave a blank in the vast expanse of 
worlds. Immortal man ! let the rich jewel of thy 
bosom wing its way with spirit motion — in the 
twinkling of an eye reach the vast luminary of day, 
behold its mighty organization and its vast dimen- 
sions, see those worlds and satellites that roll around 
it through the vast fields of ether — then leave this 
mighty structure, and with the flight of thy death- 
less soul, wing thy way to the starry worlds — suns 
to other systems — behold their vast revolutions 
in the trackless fields of ether, and when thou 
hast pondered on them with amazement, return 
to thy building of mortality, and on thy way 
give honor to the blessed Jesus, by whose autho- 



ON Christ's second advent. 77 

rity the dead shall be raised and men and angels 
judged. 

Before the judgment day, the resurrection of 
the dead must appear ; therefore, we will give 
some particulars concerning it, before we com- 
mence on the final retribution of men and angels. 

As for that day and hour, month or year, when 
Christ shall appear for the first resurrection, "know- 
eth no man ; no, not the angels of Heaven, but the 
Father only." If it had been the will of God that 
man should know the time of Christ's second Ad- 
vent, He Avould have laid it down in plain terms in 
the word of life, so there could be no doubt on the 
subject. 

But to prove the doctrine of the resurrection of 
the dead, and the final judgment, to the Infidel, I 
must in the first place prove Jesus to be the Son of 
God. I will therefore produce my reasons both from 
Scripture and profane history, which I think no can- 
did man in the light of the nineteenth century can 
reasonably deny. 

I shall attempt to prove Jesus to be the Son 
of God, in the first place, by the evidence which 
comes to my senses. In the second place, by 
the evidence which comes to my understanding ; 
and in the third place, by unquestionable wit- 
nesses. 

In the first place, I know a man walks, because I 
see him walk with my own eyes ; this is proof by 
one of the senses. Thus the disciples of the Son 
of God saw Him when he was manifest in the flesh. 
In the second place, I believe according to logic, 
that the three angles of a rectilineal triangle, are, 
together, equal to two right angles ; because it is 
proved by demonstration, to my understanding, be- 
yond contradiction. So Jesus proved himself to be 
the Son of God to the vast multitude that beheld 
him, by the mighty miracles he wrought when he 
dwelt among the children of men. In the third 



78 rice's orations. 

place, I believe Jesus to be the Son of God, because 
I have the testimony of persons of worthy credit, 
w^hich I have the greatest reason to believe. Let us 
try the test of the evidence by example. I believe 
that George Washington was once president of 
the United States. Now, it is not because I ever 
saw the man, that I believe the fact ; but because 
I have had it from that intelligence which I cannot 
deny. 

So I believe Jesus to be the Son of God, be- 
cause I have the proof of it from a multitude of wit- 
nesses, who beheld his personage, his miracles, and 
his resurrection from the dead ; and have left their 
testimony on record, both in sacred and profane his- 
tory ; which has been saved by the wisdom of God 
against the malice of Deists and Infidels, and pre- 
served for the salvation of men, even until this pre- 
sent day. Thus reasoning, according to the law of 
common sense, I must believe that Jesus is the Son 
of God. 

Again : I have reason, as well as the Deist, to be- 
lieve in a God, by the intelligence I receive from 
the works of creation ; because creation indicates a 
first cause of its existence, and that first cause must 
be greater than the things created ; therefore I be- 
lieve the first cause must be the omnipotent God. I 
do not believe he is God because I have seen him 
or handled him, but by the proof I have in the 
wt)rks of creation. Thus I perceive we have no 
better proof in the existence of a God, than we have 
in the Son of God. 

But, again : I believe Jesus to be the Son of God, 
because his enemies, as well as his friends, corrobo- 
rate my faith. Josephus, a Jewish writer, Publius 
Lentilus, governor of Judea, Origen, Celsus, Cle- 
mens, Ammonius, and many others who lived in 
the days of the Savior or his apostles and early fol- 
lowers, left many facts in history that go to support 
the personage and Divinity of Jesus, although some 



ON Christ's second advent. 79 

of these men, if not all, opposed the Christian reli- 
gion, One of them, speaking relative to the Sa- 
vior, says: "In these our da3's appeared a man of 
great virtue named Jesus Christ, who is yet living 
among us, and by the Gentiles is received as a great 
phophet of truth ; but by his own disciples is called 
the Son of God ! He raiseth the dead and cureth 
all manner of diseases," &c. This same Jesus, ac- 
cording to Josephus, predicted the destruction of 
Jerusalem before that generation in which he lived 
should pass away, and many other things pertaining 
to it, which actually came to pass in agreement with 
his prophecy. If the enemies of the blessed Sa- 
vior, as well as his friends, have recorded facts to 
prove his mission to be from God, what need have 
we of any further testimony ? 

Furthermore, I believe this Jesus to be a good man , 
because he cast out devils through divine agency, and 
went about doing good. Now, we know that God 
would not inspire the devil with power to do mira- 
cles, as did Jesus ; because light and darkness have 
no fellowship together ; and what union hath God 
with the devil ? A miracle is something beyond 
the course of nature, and requires some supernatu- 
ral power to perform it, and that power belongs to 
God. Thus we see certain Jews accused by our 
Savior of committing the sin against the Holy Ghost ; 
because they said with malice in their hearts, " He 
casteth out devils through Beelzebub, the prince of 
devils," when their own observations proved their 
assertion false. 

But, again : I believe a good man will tell the 
truth ; and as I have already proved Jesus to be a 
man of that character, I must also believe him to be 
the Son of God; for he said, "I am the Son of 
God," which assertion is vindicated beyond all con- 
tradiction by his Heavenly Father, when he was 
baptized in the River Jordan, saying, " This is my 
beloved Son, hear ye him." If the existence of a 



80 rice's orations. 

God has been proved by the works of nature, much 
more has the existence of his Son been proved by 
the Bible and the enemies of Christianity. 

Moreover, I believe Jesus to be the Son of God, 
and inspired v^^ith divinity, because the miracles 
he wrought proved the fact ; and were witnessed 
by Jews, Gentiles, and Christians. Jesus spoke, 
" Peace, be still;" and the troubled waters obeyed 
his voice. He commanded the bier to stand still, 
and by his authority the dead arose ! At his pre- 
sence demons left their victims and sanity was again 
restored ! He wept with those that wept ; and cried 
Avith a loud voice, " Lazarus, come forth," and the 
iron grasp of death, which had held its prey four 
days in the grave, gave up its victim, and the 
corpse awoke by the resurrection power of the Son 
of God. 

When we look back to the sources from whence 
Christianity sprung — the humility of its origin — the 
low state of its disciples — the phenomenon of its 
creation — the mighty victory it has acquired, not 
only over the civilized world, but over Paganism it- 
self — over lawless minds and brutalized regions — 
we must own the awful presence of Divinity ; no- 
thing less than the great Jehovah could have done 
it ! The powers, the bigotry, and the superstition 
of the earth, were all in war against it ; it had no 
arms nor sceptre ; its Founder was dressed in the 
garb of poverty ; its apostles were poor fishermen ; 
its inspired prophets were lowly and uneducated ; 
its cradle was a manger ; its home a sable dun- 
geon ; its earthly diadem a crown of thorns ! Buty 
in spite of all this opposition, it went forth ; thafc 
lowly, humble spirit, was implanted in the hearts of 
men ; the idols of the Heathen fell ; the thrones oP 
governors and kings trembled ; and Paganism saw 
her votaries fall down and worship the Divine Con- 
queror ! If what has been produced does not prove' 



ON Christ's second advent. 81 

the Divinity of the Son of God, then will I yield to 
the hostile ambition of Deists and Infidels. 

As I said before, so say I again, that the time of 
the second Advent of Christ, when the deputized 
angel shall sound the first trumpet, knoweth no man ; 
but I shall give my opinion in a few particulars con- 
cerning the Millennium, as follows : I imagine our 
week is typical of the great week of time from the 
creation of Adam down to the commencement of 
the Millennium and the termination of the same 
That six days typifies 6,000 years ; at the end of 
which the trump of God shall awake the righteous 
dead, and change the living in the twinkling of an 
eye. 

Then the volcanoes, or some other instrument 
God may see fit to use, will envelop the world in one 
general conflagration, and melt the elements with fer- 
vent heat — wrap the heavens together as a scroll, 
and " there shall be a new heaven and a new earth 
wherein dwelleth righteousness." Then man will 
be immortalized, and die no more. 

I imagine the day we call the Sabbath typifies the 
1,000 years Millennium, when God shall reign on 
earth with his people, by the subduing operation of 
his spirit, and " they shall all know the Lord, from 
the least to the greatest ; and all tears shall be 
wiped away from their eyes." Through this all- 
:heering Millennium, satan shall be bound ; at the 
end of which he shall be be loosed a little season, 
'and go out and deceive the nations and gather them 
together for battle, whose number shall be as the 
sands of the sea shore. Then will commence a con- 
test ; the devil and all his confederates will fight 
against the Lord and his company, and the Lord 
shall overcome him and. all his colleagues, and the 
song of victory will be heard throughout the camp 
of the saints. 

At the end of the Millennium, before the last con- 
test just spoken of between the devil and the Lord, 
6 



82 bice's orations. 

I imagine the last trump shall sound, and all the 
wicked dead that have ever existed since Adam and 
died in unbelief, or ever will exist until that day- 
appears, Avill hear the sound of the last trnmpet and 
come to judgment. I imagine, furthermore,, that thfe 
space between the first and last resurrections will 
be 1,000 years ; at the end of which the wicked dead 
will rise ; because, the apostle says, " We that re^ 
main will not hinder them that sleep." I suppos^ 
he alludes to the righteous who live through th§ 
Millennium ; that they will not hinder the wicked 
dead to come forth at the sound of the last trumpet. 
According to divine truth there will be two resur- 
rections, and in the first the righteous only will be 
raised; for St. John declares, "•The rest of the 
dead lived not again until the thousand years were 
finished ;" which can imply nothing else but the 
second resurrection, in which the wicked dead shaU 
arise. 

Having removed the obstruction of Deism, I novf 
hasten to oppose one obstruction more, before I com^ 
mence the subject matter of my discourse. Has 
God from all eternity decreed whatsoever comeS 
to pass ? If so, there is no future judgment to 
come ; because the decision was passed before 
the creation of the world, men or angels ; and if 
this be true, there can be no wisdom in believ- 
ing in a future day of retribution, because all 
things are bound fast in fate and admit of no varia- 
tion. 

Before we pursue, let us consider what is an ab- 
solute decree of God ? It is an act passed in the 
eternal mind and will of Deity, which admits of no 
possibility of change, and must be accomplished on 
the object concerned, in perfect agreement with the 
decree. Therefore, when we say God has de- 
creed whatsoever comes to pass, we mean that 
he has decreed all things that ever have taken 
place or ever will take place ; and all these things 



ON Christ's second advent. 83 

must be accomplished according to his predestina- 
tion. 

If this doctrine be true, men or devils are not ac- 
countable to God ; because all transactions are done 
in perfect agreement to his decrees : therefore, no- 
thing has taken place, or ever w^ill take place, but 
what He compels to be, either directly or indirectly 
by his Almighty hand. The libertine, that des- 
troys the female character and glories in his de- 
bauchery, does the will of God. The robber who, 
for the love of gold, steals from his neighbor, obeys 
,the uill of his Creator. The miser, who worships 
the world and thereby forgets his God, fulfils his eter- 
nal decrees. The murderer, who dyes his hands in 
his brother's blood, cannot avoid the act, for the de- 
crees of God compel him to do the same. And every 
wicked crime ever committed on earth, or in hell, 
is in obedience to his will, and must be accom- 
plished. 

I But again : if this doctrine be true, those that 
will finally be lost, were unconditionally damned 
^before they had existence. For them, the Savior 
^never shed his blood ; for them, he never offered up 
a prayer ; for them, he never groaned when his soul 
was sorrowful in the garden of Gethsemane ; and 
for them, no door of mercy was ever opened ; 
but they must go to hell and wail under chains 
|of eternal darkness, because God intended them 
for that purpose long before their creation. Fur- 
thermore, those persons who will be finally saved, 
were just as sure of Heaven before the world 
,began, without any conditions on their part, as 
ihey ever will be when they enter the New- 
jJerusalem. This is what is called limited atone- 
ment. 

If this sentiment be true, there never was a sin- 
.ner in the universe of God. No being commits sin 
by performing an act that he cannot resist. The 
.superior authority that compels him to commit the 



84 kick's orations. 

act, is to blame, if there is any fault in the case* 
When the immortal spirit of man is compelled td 
act by some irresistible influence of God, either by 
motive or any other way, to that soul belong no fu- 
ture rewards or punishments for the deeds commit- 
ted while here in the body. '• 

If the system of divinity now in consideration is 
true, then is the doctrine of universal salvation true 
also ; for God's revealed will can never contradict 
his decrees. It is recorded in the word of Godj 
" There is one Mediator between God and men, the 
man Christ Jesus, who will have all men to be saved 
and come to the knowledge of the truth, who gave 
himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.'? 
We see the will of God in the above quotation is 
the salvation of all men, and God's will must agree 
with his decrees ; therefore, all men must be saved. 
We see, in the same quotation, that Jesus made ari 
expiation for all men. This destroys the foundatioBi 
of a limited atonement, and makes man a proper 
subject for the future judgment, proves God's det 
crees concerning man's immortal spirit to be condi* 
tional, and makes him a fit subject for the final re» 
tribution of eternity. 

But, my reader, I believe in the doctrine of pre- 
destination, as well as you, in all things consistent 
with the nature of God. Inanimate matter is fore- 
ordained by the Eternal to keep its location and mo* 
tion in a manner which God designed it should ; be? 
cause it is not accountable for its career. But the 
immortal soul of man God never compelled to do 
evil, either by motive or constraint ; for such deal- 
ings with spirit cannot exist — they counteract th# 
nature of God, and destroy man's accountability. • 

The deathless soul, destined for judgment and 
existence in eternal future, was never chained down 
by some unconditional preordination of the Poten- 
tate of Heaven, but was left free by the spirit of the 
Gospel, " which lighteth every man that cometh in- 



I 



ON Christ's second advent. 85 

to the world," in reference to the choice of Heaven 
or hell. In the garden of Eden man freely stood 
while he stood, and freely fell when he fell. So it 
is with every soul now in the body, in reference 
to the last judgment. On these premises I build 
mv hope for eternity ; on this foundation I worship 
God. 

My reader may here observe, God foreknows 
every thing as certain, without any condition on the 
part of man, and his prescience amounts to a decree ; 
so it may be, if the assertion is true. But I am per- 
suaded it cannot be proved from the Word of God, 
and much less by the powers of logic. Because 
God has power to do all things, it does not follow 
that he must do all things. We believe God has 
power to create thousands of Avorlds more than he 
has created, but he has not done it. If God has 
power to foreknow all things as certain, it does not 
prove that he must foreknow all things as certain, 
for this would trespass on the nature of Divinity, 
and limit the free agency of the Eternal Being. 
God's decrees, therefore, must belong to that part of 
creation which do not destroy man's accountability 
to his Maker, nor the justice of his judgment in re- 
lation to man. For this cause I am led to conclude, 
that concerning the volitions of the immortal spirits 
Df men, God foreknows as contingent, and leaves 
it with them to turn the scale, Avhether they will 
be saved or lost, since Christ tasted death for 
jvery man. On these premises hang the just retri- 
butions of eternity for Adam's race, and on no other 
ibundation can the world be judged in righteous- 
aess. 

Having removed some of the obstructions believed 
n by the children of men, and opened the way by 
exordium for the second coming of Christ, I shall now 
jegin my theme. 

The words that I have chosen for the foundation 
■)f my subject, have reference to the Second Advent 



86 kice's orations. 

of the Son of God in the clouds of Heaven — to the 
last great day of retribution for men and angels. 
It was for this day the Savior came into the world. 
For this day all other days were made. Were it 
not for this day, man never had existed ; and if he 
had, he would not receive the just reparations of 
eternity. For the events of this day, the Savior left 
the courts above and died to make man accountable 
to God, so the world could be judged in righteous- 
ness. 

Mankind were fallen in Adam ; and it would 
have been unjust in our Creator to have banished 
all the human race because Adam fell. There- 
fore, to make the judgment just, Je^s open- 
ed up a way for sinners, whereby they might, 
through obedience to his requirements, receive his 
approbation and be saved, or disregard them and be 
damned. 

The Judge now arrives with a cloud of witnesses ;i 
he sits upon his throne of majesty, clothed with 
flaming fire ; his eyes sparkling with light, far ex-^ 
ceeding the blazing meteor ; his head encircled with' 
brilliancy, surpassing the mid-day sun ; his feet like 
unto fine brass, holding in his hand the seven stars ; 
he comes in the clouds of heaven — he appears in 
the glorious expedition of a God — he is surrounded 
by saints and angels — he wears a royal diadem — . 
terror sits on his countenance — he appears ! Butj 
how unlike the man that sweat blood in Gethse- 
mane ! how unlike the man that died on Calvary !' 
No crown of thorns pierces his sacred temples ; no 
blood and sweat besmear the body of Jesus ! He; 
comes with the resurrection voice of the first trumJ 
pet. Before his presence, mountains melt away — I 
the oceans heave with tremendous commotion — the? 
earth trembles to her centre, and is wrapped irr 
flames of fire — she spins on her axle like some giddy 
thing — she is deranged in her course of nature ; 
while she groans and expires under the wrath of' 



ON Christ's second advent. 87 

God. The moon is dressed in sackcloth — the svn 
withdraws his light — the stars fall, like untimely 
figs, from heaven ; and all nature suffers in the 
agonies of death. Deputized by this heavenly King, 
" the angel swears that time shall be no longer," 
The trump is sounding, and I hear a voice saying, 
*' Come forth, ye righteous dead." Great day 
of God Almighty and the Lamb ! Day for which 
■ God created man ! Day for which earth sprung 
from choas ! The day for which creation first be- 
gan .' 

At the sound of this trumpet the earth begins to 
. tremble — the elements war in dread commotion — 
the tombs are bursting — saints are rising from their 
grave of centuries to behold the coming of the Son. 
. of Man — they are dressed with the garments of im- 
mortality, and never shall sleep again. The living 
are changed in a moment, and put on garlands that 
shall never fade — the rich purchase of blood. The 
; Lord has come to dwell on the earth with his peo- 
, pie, and shall reign with them a thousand years. 
All tears are wiped from their eyes, and there shall 
, be nothing to make afraid in all the holy mountain. 
The bands of death have burst asunder, and the 
: followers of God have found the victory over the 
I grave. They give honor to Him who sits upon 
: the throne, for the day of their redemption has 
come. 

At the commencement of this latter day glory, 

• the commissioned angel of God, with a great chain 
I in his hand, shall lay hold on the devil and bind 
( biin, and cast him into prison, and he shall 

• abide there one thousand years, during the Millen- 
' nium, and lose his deception and reign over the 

children of men. Then nations shall learn war 
1 no more, and the blood of the Cross redeem the 
; world. 

Now the time appears when all the dead in Christ 
; since Adam fell shall awake, and congratulate the 



OO RICE S ORATIONS. 

living saints now basking in millennial glory. The 
angel Gabriel advances with his holy train in front 
of the great Majesty of Heaven and earth, and 
sounds the alarm which rends the heavens and 
shakes the earth from pole to pole, while the ma- 
jestic Sire encircled Avith shining angels, and all 
the blood-washed throng clad with drapery of the 
skies, endows the voice with power surpassing foes 
of hell, which shakes the vaults and calls the dead 
to life ! 

Here the servant of the Lord, who, by command, 
repaired to Mount Moriah with his son, shall rise 
with garments white and crowns of honor, at the 
voice of that Savior once buffeted in the streets of 
the Jews. Now the prophet, once in the fiery bush, 
shall rise in beauty and exulting songs of everlast- 
ing rapture to the Lamb, while Pharaoh, with his 
fellows deep in art, remain until the final trump 
shall sound to wake those dead that feel the burn- 
ing flame ! 

Here the blest Psalmist, with all his heavenly 
choir, appear with beauty and immortal bloom, with 
harps well tuned to sing that song a Savior bought 
when on the cross he hung ! Isaiah, the phophet 
of the Lord, whose lips were touched with fire, no 
longer sounds the dread alarm on Zion's walls, and 
thus exposed, to die ; but life instead, and all the 
rapture of the upper world, inspire his soul with 

joy! 

Stephen, the first martyr from our Savior's death, 
who spake as with an angel's tongue, and bore a 
visage bright, now reaps the harvest bought with 
vital blood — with Paul, to whose feet his garments 
lay — converted by a sunbeam from on high, Avill 
join in rapture to that name which none but Jesus 
bears ! Peter, whose humble state changed his 
posture on the cross to that of his dear Lord's — 
sealed his pardon by his blood — ascends in clouds, 



ON Christ's second advent. 89 

with all the fiery throng soaring with their Captain 
far on high ! 

From the vaults of Palestine, where lamentation 
spread by dying groans, arose another train of in- 
nocents, who, in flight of speedy pinions, with un- 
numbered since the fall, soar aloft to mansions in 
the skies ! Christians of all grades now burst the 
chains of death, and join the blissful band of har- 
mony and adoration to their King — bid death fare- 
well, and in the fiery chariot such as the prophet 
knew, ride on in triumph and enter the golden gates 
of everlasting day ! 

The prayer of the church since creation is now 
changed for heavenly fruition ; the voices of lamen- 
tation and mourning have passed away, and the 
cries of innocent blood are heard no more. The 
martyrs that have sealed the testimony of Jesus by 
their sufferings and death, have gained the victory 
over their enemies, and rejoice in sweet repose. No 
friend of Satan shall ever annoy their peace, but 
sacred joy shall_ forever inspire their bosoms, as they 
worship God. 

The church is now triumphant from all fears. 
And left the dregs of wretchedness behind. 

The joys of time are mutable in their nature, and 
soon terminate ; but this happiness relative to the 
soul of man, shall live forever. Man's spirit can 
never die ! That thinking, that anticipating princi- 
ple, that powerful anxiety, which cannot be satisfied 
by the things of time, can never terminate. These 
faculties of the soul are capable of vast improve- 
ment. They may be inspired with a rapid increase 
of knowledge through this short existence, and at 
the close of life remain more ample for the same re- 
ception. Doubtless this intrinsic worth may go on 
forever with rapid strides of increasing wisdom and 
find no perfection. The most lofty seraph that sur- 
rounds the throne of God may look down on the 



90 rice's orations. 

Christian, and behold a future period in eternity, 
when he shall surpass his present glory. Man has 
an intellect that surveys objects both past and fu- 
ture, and doubtless will go on in progressive vision 
in the expansive world to come. He can see good 
from evil, because in him was implanted the power 
of docility, far surpassing all other animal beings. 
Man is the noblest workmanship of God in this 
lower world, and was made for something more than 
to sleep in everlasting silence, as the beasts of the 
forest or the birds of the air. 

If man could, in this life, arrive to the highest 
point of knowledge attainable — that all his energies 
of mind could expand to the highest possible per- 
fection — that the flower could be in full bloom ere 
nature silenced the flame of animal life, we might 
presume an extinction of the immortal soul. But 
the progression of this rich jewel towards Deity's 
perfection, is like one of those mathematical line^ 
that approaches nearer and nearer, without any pos- 
sibility of ever arriving to consummation. 

I will now refer to the truth of Revelation to prova 
man's immortality beyond the grave. That there is 
endless joy for the righteous, no one who believes 
the word of God will deny. The apostle says : 
" Christ Jesus suffered without the camp, that we 
through his blood might enter into the dwelling of 
the holiest." 

Again, it is written, "He that believeth on the 
Son hath everlasting life." Again, saitli Jesus, 
" I know my sheep, and they follow me and I give 
unto them eternal life." Paul appeared to be con- 
firmed in the belief of everlasting happiness, when 
he exclaimed in striking accents ; " This light 
affliction which is for a moment, worketh out for 
us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of 
glory." 

At the resurrection of the righteous, the body as, 
well as the soul, is made immortal, and fashioned 



ON Christ's second advent. 91 

like unto Christ's glorious body. It no longer re- 
mains a cumbrous load of grosser elements, but obeys 
the wish of the soul, and moves with it wheresoever 
it desires. As quick as thought, the body and soul 
light on the most distant star, and in a moment are 
in some other remote part of the universe of God. 
To them belong no location, except in the element 
of happiness ; for a spirit cannot be confined to 
place any more than thought ; and the spiritual 
body always obeys the immortal intellect. After 
our Savior arose from the dead, he could appear in 
a moment to the apostles, and as soon disappear out 
of their sight. So will it be with the saints of 
God. This mystery must be true ; yet no man 
can explain it on the principles of philosophy, 
any more than he can comprehend the eternal 
Divinity. 

At this Second Advent of Christ, the sorrows of 
the righteous terminate forever ; for they have found 
a heavenly realm through Christ their mediator. 
They have entered the harbor of safety, spoken of 
by the prophets and the apostles. Here their vision 
was faith in testimony, without a visible sight of the 
Testator ; but now they behold the reality of former 
anticipation. Here the brother welcomes his con- 
sanguinity, once separated by death, yet joined by 
the same faith. The father meets his son, and the 
daughter her mother, with the welcome news of a 
confederation death and hell can never disjoin. 
However solemn the separation was on earth, it 
is now forgotten by the participation of uninterrupt- 
ed joy and paradisaical delight. This heaven-born 
pleasure surpasses the description of an angel's pen ; 
how, then, can I do justice to my subject ? 

This happiness belonging to the saints of God is 
unspeakable and full of glory. In their celestial 
mansion is the immediate presence of the Lamb 
who was slain for their redemption. The Temple 
of Jerusalem was a magnificent edifice ; but the 



92 rice's oeations. 

holiest department, secluded by the inner veil, was 
a faint emblem of this triumphant Temple, " whose 
maker and builder is God." This celestial city- 
passes all resemblance of earthly things ; for they 
must wax old as doth a garment, and be dissolved. 
Heaven is paved with the richest gold — illuminated 
with the light of the Son of righteousness — secured 
by the authority of Deity — destined to remain without 
end — resounds with hymns of highest rapture — in- 
spired by disembodied saints, and surrounded by 
that horizon which excludes the unrenovated soul 
that never dies. 

In this holy Temple is implanted the tree of life, 
which produces the most delicious fruit — yields it 
every month — and the leaves thereof are for the 
healing of the nations. In this bright mansion 
flows the pure river containing the water of life ; 
the streams of which exhilarate the celestial para- 
dise. Nothing is deficient in this holy building, 
for all things are new. Every face has enstamped 
upon it the true omen of heaven-born delight. Here 
saints are clothed upon and mortality is swallowed 
up of life. Death has lost its sting — all things are 
completed — and victory is witnessed by the ethereal 
choir. Christ has given up the kingdom to God, 
even the Father ; and all enemies are trampled un- 
der his feet. Saints gather immortality on the de- 
lectable tree erected at the right hand of the eternal 
Divinity. Nothing unclean, or that worketh abom- 
ination, can enter this city, for all enemies are put 
to flight by the Captain of salvation. The beauties 
and excellencies of the paradise are so great, that 
no mortal eye can behold them and live. " Eye 
hath not seen nor ear heard, neither hath it entered 
into the heart of man to conceive those things 
which God hath prepared for them that love him." 
If the glories of Heaven are so inexpressible, let 
my pen disgrace no longer this subject most di- 
vine. 



ON Christ's second advent, 93 

Oh ! happy world ! Can a worm of yesterday hope 
for a region in the skies ? In that kind mansion, 
redemption swells the song. There Jesus' name, 
divinely sweet, reiterates on every tongue ; there 
the heart shall never throb but with rapture ; there 
the countenance shall never appear, but with celes- 
tial beauty ; there the feet, once diverted, shall tra- 
verse the pavements of Heaven ; there the pilgrim, 
once wearied with the vicissitudes of a wicked 
world, has taken a fair asylum from all things be- 
neath the sun — no fears inspire his bosom with 
misery — no tears are extorted from his eyes by the 
convulsive lamentations of nature ; but all his facul- 
ties are the avenues of supreme delight. 

Amazing catastrophe ! Who purchased this sal- 
vation for guilty man ? Who opened the door of 
paradise, which the apostacy of man had barred ? 
Let the Mediator speak. On the cross, extended, 
hung the Son of God, as a malefactor, in the ago- 
nizing groans of death. From the tree where the 
Savior vibrated in dying pangs, and covered with 
blood, light appears and salvation smiles on guilty 
man. From the manger, Gethsemane, and Calvary, 
I see the load of guilt expelled from the sinner, his 
garments of pollution taken away, and a royal dia- 
dem placed on his brow of immortality. The spirit's 
hell, to which he was fast hastening, was evaded 
by the rich blood of atonement, and a heavenly pos- 
session purchased for him by the unparalleled suf- 
ferings of the all-prevailing Conqueror. For this 
cause, the name of Jesus is extolled by all the blood- 
washed throng. 

Fiird with wisdom by the heavenly Dove 
They soar in rapture and ambrosial love; 
Lost to the anguish in the world before. 
Imbibe the flame and nature's God adore; 
Far in the skies, believ'd by mortals here, 
That sonf? is sun^, which will the spirit cheer: 
' Tis bliss obtained by that expiring sigh, 
Which bought for man a paradise on high. 



94 rice's orations. 

Hear the martyr's song of redemption, since he 
has gained the victory through the Lamb. He beholds 
the world behind him, and all its objects, in brighter 
visions lost. From his golden seat, he traces the 
meandering maze from time to his auspicious realm ; 
thorny was the path, beset with stratagem. Once 
his progressive speed was obstructed by inveterate 
enemies, which spread their dismal gloom around ; 
but now his theme is exultation. No more shall I 
wander in nature's lurid path — no more shall mortal 
scenes increase my fear, or chilling blasts disturb 
my halcyon soul, for sorrow and mourning have fled 
away, and all perils terminated in the bridgeless 
Jordan. Death can no longer boast of victory — dis- 
ease cannot inflict with torturing pangs ; because all 
sorrow is changed for inexpressible delight. Here 
the weapons of death are known no more, for all 
wars have terminated, and the bloody carnage has 
passed away. The parent shall no more witness 
the death-groans of his affectionate offspring — the 
brother shall no more follow the brother to the 
gloomy sepulchre — the beggar shall no longer suffer 
for the bread that perisheth, but satiates his appetite 
from the banquet spread on high. Sorrow shall 
never tread on the heels of sorrow ; but bliss of 
celestial origin, and joys without end, shall inspire 
the soul with more than mortals know, and leave no 
void without extatic fire. 

Having described the bliss of the servants of God, 
we now hasten to the sound of the last trumpet — to 
the resurrection of the wicked dead ; for, according 
to St. John, " the rest of the dead lived not again 
until the thousand years were finished ;" this is the 
last resurrection, and on such the second death has 
power ; for they must all hear the voice of the Son 
of God, and come forth — " they that have done evil 
unto the resurrection of damnation." 

At this day of retribution, shall scenes transpire 
which make the boldest countenance turn pale and 



ON Christ's second advent. 95 

tlie stony heart tremble with fear. Great must be 
the exhibition of this day, because of the vast num- 
ber that shall assemble around the throne, and the 
final destiny that awaits the wicked. From the 
grave of centuries, sinners of all ranks obey the 
sound of the last trumpet, and burst into life. They 
assemble in countless millions around the throne, 
clothed with the sable garments of immortality. 
Here the rich and poor, black and white, bond and 
free, male and female, monarch and beggar, all com- 
bine to form the black cloud of culprits on the left, 
and wait in awful suspense to hear their final doom. 
They tremble with consternation, ere they plunge 
their last grave. 

At this final day of judgment, the Son of Man 
will sit on the throne of his glory, surrounded by 
the saints redeemed among men, and the vast con- 
course of the heavenly hosts. He will be clothed 
in his celestial equipage, and before him shall all 
nations be gathered together ; ••' and he shall sepa- 
rate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth 
the sheep from the goats ; and he shall set the sheep 
on the right hand, but the goats on the left. Then 
shall the King say to those on the right hand, 
* Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit a kingdom 
prepared for you from the foundation of the world;' 
but to those on the left, 'Depart, ye cursed, into 
everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his an- 
gels.' " At this day of final decision, Beelzebub, 
with all his forces, begins his last engagement, and 
fights his spiritual battle against the Lord ; and the 
Lord and his agents overcome him and his vast 
company, and " bind them hand and foot, and 
thrust them into outer darkness, where there shall 
be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Here lost men 
and angels receive their last destiny ; here their 
chains of darkness are riveted, and they drink the 
unutterable vengeance of the wrath of God. 

The separation of relatives on earth, is often griev- 



96 rice's orations. 

ous and tormenting ; but how faint the emblem of 
the separation at the final judgment ! How often 
have parents witnessed the dying groans of an affec- 
tionate child, while their very souls were absorbed 
in misery at the dissolution ! But weeping would 
not reclaim the beloved object, or retard its accelera- 
ted departure. How often have children been called 
to witness the obsequies of parents, dear by nature's 
ties, and thus become abandoned, wandering through 
an inclement world ! These separations are sore 
and unconsoling, yet the comparison is small to 
that separation where reunion is past all hope, 
and fixed destiny is lasting as the judgment of 
God. 

As there are sinners of various characters, I shall 
here mention some of them individually. 

How must the backslider lament his interminate 
ruin, " who has counted the blood of the covenant 
whereby he was sanctified an unholy thing, and done 
despite to the Spirit of grace ?" How he writhes in 
agony ! See his trembling soul naked before the 
bar of God, while his deeds are exposed to men and 
angels. He sighs under his intolerable load of guilt 
and hears his verdict sealed by Omnipotence — wit- 
nessed by cherubim and seraphim, "Depart, ye cursed 
blasphemer, into everlasting fire," while the voices 
of all the holy throng resound in the loud acclama- 
tions of amen. 

His eyes now penetrate the self-murderer, who 
js convicted of his crime. He is conscious of com- 
mitting that sin which gave him no space for 
pardon, but terminated his probation without hope ; 
" For no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him." 
He is full of repentance, but too late, since his 
day of grace ended at his expiring breath. His 
once pitiful Savior is now changed to indignation, 
saying, " Depart, ye cursed murderer, into that 
pit where there shall be weeping, wailing and 



ON Christ's second advent. 97 

gnashing of teeth," while the witnesses exclaim, 
•' amen !" 

The swearer is also at this tribunal. He is filled 
with amazement at that countenance which shoots 
destructive fire upon every sinner. Once he could 
■5oar on the impious delusion of blasphemy — spurn- 
ing the Gospel admonitions — groping in the dark 
Tiaze of infatuated vice and error — committing trea- 
son against the law of Justice — sinning with a high 
land against the Majesty of Heaven. Once he 
:hought it the height of glory to throw forth great 
swelling words against his Sovereign ; but now he 
"eaps the bitter rewards of his evil doings. Stand- 
ng in confusion on the sliding place where fiery 
mguish is rolling just below, see the trembling cul- 
prit at the bar, fearful to launch away ; yet the expel- 
•ing ire of the Judge issues forth his expedition, and 
■lis troubled soul sinks where the voice of exemption 
'lever shall appear. 

* As he surveys the multitude of sinners, he casts 
■lis eye upon the liar — ^justice finds him guilty, 
'' Because all liars shall have their part in the lake 
•vhich burneth with fire and brimstone ;" " This is 
he second death." Here he travelled to and fro 
in the earth, seeking whom he might destroy by his 
deception ; but now he is caught in his own ways by 
he Judge, who is able to recompense both the just 
md the unjust. Hear his sentence: "Depart, ye 
■-ursed liar, into everlasting shame and contempt," 
vhile in agreement the witnesses say " Amen to his 
lamnation." 

The drunkard lingers not behind. Forced by 
hat energy which no man can retard, he pensively 
'ippears. Condemned by the gnawings of that worm 
vhich never dies, he remains speechless and sur- 
prised. That face which once indicated the prog- 
lostic of salvation bj?^ the tragical groans of Calvary^ 
■3 changed into the omen of wrath against the cul- 
)rit at the bar. The time of his probation was 
7 



98 rice's orations. 

passed with indifference on futurity — .his affections 
were riveted to that bane by which a vast number 
lose the brightest crown. The day of decision 
doubtless he sometimes viewed afar off, yet comfort- 
ed himself there was time enough yet to expel the 
noxious cup ; but at length he was overtaken sud« 
denly by the whirlwind of death, and his baseless 
imagination fell low as the grave and deep as the 
spirit's tomb. Now the tremendous day is at hand [ 
He beholds the gulf of destined misery at the left, 
while numberless demons are as a transient veil 
that hides the calid flames, just ready to receive that 
fuel never to be extinguished by the nature of the 
conflagration. Mourning the loss of time once occu- 
pied by intoxication, he heaves a fatal groan,, which 
is the prior link to an eternal chain. The fire of 
spirits once absorbed his senses from activity ; but 
now his latent capacity of mind is participating 
that anguish which pen cannot describe or tongue 
express. How his pensive bosom heaves with pain ? 
He gazes on the vast ocean of woe, and sinks 
to rise no more in the dark mansion of misery I 
'' The drunkard shall no.t inherit the kingdom of 
God." 

At this day, the Judge will thoroughly investigate 
all the doctrines ever established by man. All spu- 
rious systems shall be brought to light, and hay, 
wood, and stubble, shall be annihilated by the co- 
gent fire of the Almighty. At this day, vast multi- 
tudes shall be sundered from the fictions doctrine 
they imbibed on earth, and, if saved, will barely 
escape as a victim from the crater of the destructive 
volcano. At this juncture, methinks the restora- 
tioner trembles at the abortive fiction he proclaimed 
to man. His once affirmed aphorisms disappear as 
the morning dew, and nought but the indelible re- 
ality survives the final verdict. Self-condemned, 
with a biased disposition, once employed in hostility 
against the truth, he finds no refuge, but joins the 



ON Christ's second advent. 99 

=' band whose party preached the same doctrine in the 
' garden, which is in opposition to tlie Gospel injunc- 
tion, " But he that sinneth against the Holy Ghost 
■ hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal 
- damnation." There can be no danger of any thing 
■' that is not, or never can be ; therefore we may sup- 
'pose there is, and ever will be, a place of misery, 
"and that qualified by interminate duration. 

All the concerns that mankind are unwilling to 
I reveal on the shores of time, now appear naked, be- 
'•fore the Judge of congregated millions. Whatever 
'might have been concealed from the world is now 
■brought to light by the Author of the conscientious 
■'catalogue. At this day, the deceiver and his doc- 
f' trine must take the last separation, and he reap the 
fatal consequences of his obnoxious career. If re- 
'pentance at this crisis would save the soul, doubtless 
Ihell would remain a silent mansion, and every sin- 
^ner escape from his intrication. But all hope ex- 
pires in the final condemnation of lost men and 
* angels. 

I will here advance a few quotations of Scripture 
'to prove the punishment of the finally impenitent 
shall have no end. For, saith Jesus, ^' The words 
pthat I speak unto you, the same shall judge you at 
the last day." *' Sodom and Gomorrah, and other 
cities round about them, going after strange flesh, 
are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance 
'of eternal fire." Furthermore, "You that are trou- 
bled rest with us, until the Lord Jesus shall be re- 
(vealed from Heaven, taking vengeance on all them 
•that know not God and obey not the Gospel of our 
■'Lord Jesus Christ, who shall be punished with ever- 
'lasting destruction." Furthermore, that disciple 
''whom Jesus loved, in his Revelation declares, when 
speaking of the false worshiper's misery, " And 
the smoke of their torments ascendeth up forever 
'and ever" Again : Peter, in describing the false 
''teachers, ushers in this striking quotation : " These 



100 kick's orations. '\ 

are wells without water — clouds that are carried I 
with a tempest, to whom the mist of darkness is 
reserved forever." If the word of God proves an 
eternal Heaven for the righteous, the same word 
proves an eternal hell for the wicked ; for the terms 
are as strong in the one case as in the other ; and 
in my opinion, no honest man versed in the Scrip- 
tures, can for a moment doubt the fact. 

Where shall I find a rule to measure eternity ? 
Must I be deep in mathematics ? if so, I must be 
lost in a deficient system. The things of time may 
be measured by rules of application, and thereby 
the mental powers of man may survey the end. 
Shall I apply the rules of time to eternity ? If so, 
where shall I begin, or whither shall I cease in the 
vast meander of supernumerary years ? Let us ap- 
ply, for instance, the length of time, 6,000 years, to 
eternity, and this as often as once in a minute for 
three score years and ten, and see to what date we 
will arrive in immortality. It will be 220,902,780,000 
of our years. At this extensive date, the hell-doom- 
ed sinner may apply the measurement already at- 
tained for 1,000 of our centuries, with the prior 
speed of application, and then exclaim in accents 
of desperation, eternity is just begun ! Momentous 
truth ! Shall man remain dormant at this eternal 
doom ? 

Should particles of this earth no larger than the 
smallest insect, be transmigrated to some other 
planet in the universe of nature, and but one par^ 
tide be removed in one thousand years, the time 
would appear in the progressive chain of action 
when the space occupied by this earth would be as 
void as the immeasurable wilds of ether. At th? 
expiration of this incomprehensible progression, the 
thick darkness of the Almighty's wrath will inspire 
the pit of execration and exclude the hope of any pos* 
sibility of future emancipation from the wrath of Godl 

Thus we see, all beings so unfortunate as to make 



ON CHRIST S SECOND ADVENT, 101 

their bed in hell, can never be extricated. When 
the door is once shut by the Master of the house, 
and the seal sanctioned by Him " who shutteth and 
' no man openeth," in vain shall the culprit seek for 
i escape. Jesus saith, " I am the beginning and the 
end, and have the keys of death and hell." While 
the saints are in Heaven continually gathering im- 
mortality on life's fair tree, this benighted faction 
are mingling in cries for mercy. " for a drop of 
'- water to cool our parching tongues." Now they 
' shall wish for death, but death shall flee away ! 
They curse the unhappy days of their beginning, 
and gnaw their tongues Avith pain ! In this infernal 
mansion no Savior will ever descend to proclaim the 
news of Salvation by Heaven's expiring groans ! 
'' Here no brilliant star shall bear the tidings " good 
' will," as did the angels in Bethlehem. Here the 
■ purple gore of the beloved Son of God can never 
■flow, as on the summit of Calvary! But despera- 
tion instead darkens the gloomy vale and excludes 
"the way of mercy, which is now administered to our 
'rebellious world. 

'^ Let the eternity-bound sinners, for whom Jesus 
Fdied, reflect on the misery of approaching doom I 
^O sinners ! can you endure this unextinguishable 
!"fire ? Can you dwell Avith everlasting burnings, 
I shut up in endless oblivion to the beauties of crea- 
rtion, and drink the cup of eternal indignation with- 
out the consoling streams of the Savior's side ? Is 
'this the desire of your intellectual faculties ? No. 
^hey do not wish such afflicting scenes as devils 
experience without a possibility of emancipation. 
■'Then, I beseech you, refrain ! The blackness of 
'darkness is gathering around you I Soon the main- 
spring of free option Avill cease to act in your favor ; 
Voryour life is uncertain and death is near. Now the 
Physician stands ready to receive you with outstretch- 
ed arms of mercy — gladly would he pluck you as 
ibrands from eternal burnings ! He only waits 



102 rice's orations. 

your petition ! Turn ! O turn ! while it is to- 
day ; for the night cometh, when no man can worli 
out his salvation, though he may greatly fear and 
tremble. 

Fellow sinners, we are condemned by a law thai 
knows no pardon ! Where, then, shall we fly foi 
escape and shield its fatal curse ? " Shall we go on 
in sin that grace may abound ?" " God forbid." We 
must fly to a Savior's bleeding veins, and for crimes 
committed in so long remaining adamant, and spurn- 
ing the way of salvation, descend the valley of holy 
compunction, and through faith gain justification. 
Our morning sun will soon pass his meridian splen- 
dor, and expire at that horizon which separates time 
from eternal pain ! A little longer, and the gloom 
of night will set in upon us fraught with all the ter- 
rors of endless death ! The howling winds shall 
blow over our spirits' grave, ignited with the doleful 
fires of the damned ! In that dreary realm, no blood 
of atonement will be sounded in our ears with the 
voice of pardon ! but lost hope shall inspire our 
deathless souls ! 

If this is the sinner's final doom, Avhy are we not 
constrained by such powerful motives to commence 
the important work the Gospel requires ? Shall we 
longer remain in continual transgression, exposed to 
that spear which will soon lavish our blood ? Shall 
we rush on the fierce anger of that God, who is a 
consuming fire until his wrath is sealed against us 
with the irrevocable sentence of the flames of hell ? 
If some darling object of time were exposed to dan- 
ger, how soon would we approach for its security ? 
Yet, unconcerned about the surviving part, which is 
worth more than universal nature, that is destined 
to annihilation ; for when material matter shall be 
dissolved by fervent heat, the soul shall yet sur- 
vive ! Can we be so ignorant as to barter away the 
true riches of Heaven for the vain mammon of this 
world, and be forced at last to the lamentation, "The 



ON Christ's second advent. 103 

. harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not 
1 saved." 

A few reflections on the immortality of the soul, 

and I sliall leave the subject to my reader's better 

judgment. 
This mortal life is but the commencement of our 

being— a breath or two — we gasp in mortal agony, 

and begin our eternal existence. If we possess the 
, world we inhabit, it cannot pass with us over Jor- 
.dan; but if we obtain the riches of Heaven they 
■will buoy us up as we pass down the stream of time, 

amid the rolling ages of immortality. If poverty and 
.affliction beset us here, death will soon close our 

sufferings; but if we lose our souls, the loss sur- 
passes all finite comprehension. This is that end- 
.less death, which mortal death cannot destroy. The 

world we inhabit, with all its fashionable grandeur, 
.is swiftly passing away — the earth will soon grow 
! crazy with old age, and reel on its axis like some 
= giddy thing — the stars, like untimely figs, shall fall 
, from Heaven; but the all conscious and deathless 

soul shall survive the wreck of worlds, and live in 
j; eternal future. And when another period of exist- 
Lence as long as the world has been expires, and a 
.thousand times as many such periods as there were 
finoments in the first, our immortal souls shall have 
j just begun their career, 

1 To stand on the eminence of Pizgah, and look 
;Over the river Jordan, what a prospect rushes on our 

vision ? Let fancy spread its wings and pursue the 
.deathless soul through ages of bliss, sufficient to dis- 
'solve these clay buildings, and still progress through 
^periods which human numbers fail to compute, 

until imagination is so far extended from home 
.it can hardly be recalled ; it must give up the chase 

and leave the swift winged soul to explore the count- 
less ages of eternity. And when it returns to its 

clay prison, how inconstant appears all earthly 



104 rice's orations. 

glory — a mere blank in the existence of the undying 
soul. 

Let imagination again spread her pinions, and 
follow the soul in agony through endless existence — 
through fires sufficient to melt down the starrj'' 
worlds. One period after another passes away, as 
it takes its flight through the dark regions of lost 
spirits, then it returns, looks back on expiring mil- 
lions of years, as a speck in the firmament, and still 
hears the deathless soul in wailings exclaim, " My 
agony is just begun." God of mercy, save us from 
this eternity of woe ! The fainting mind will be 
inspired with the worth of the soul if it admits its 
eternal progression. 

It is very difficult to conceive of the soul's being 
forever in bliss or woe, without acquiring new ideas 
and increased capacities, which must enhance its 
joys in Heaven, or its pains in hell. And some por- 
tions of the word of God favor this opinion. I shall 
take it for granted, and see what an august being 
the soul will become that escapes the second death. 
Let us first observe its progression in this life, and 
the magnanimity it here obtains. Yesterday it was 
an infant in its mother's arms — to-day it is a child, 
and is chastised — to-morrow it becomes a philoso- 
pher, and receives honor of men. Let this progress 
be extended to millions of years, and how great has 
the soul magnified. Ten thousand times more dif- 
ference between it and a Newton, than between a 
Newton and a child. Mark that feature of man just 
opening his eyes in the morning of life ; yet that 
infant contains a soul that will outstrip the ranges 
of the most sublime intellect. That spark of eter- 
nal life begun will grow to the magnitude of an- 
gels ; and in a flood of glory swell the raptures of 
Heaven. 



ORATION V. 
ON SLAVERY. 

" Thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself. — James ii. 8. 



Amid the various operations of the day, Slavery 
stands pre-eminent on the list — is stamped with the 
black seal of cruelty, which eclipses the star-span- 
gled banner of America, and destroys her flag, on 
which liberty has long been falsely inscribed ; stains 
the Union with the brand of infamy, and calls the 
contempt of foreign powers upon her. England, 
with all her despotism and barbarity to her laborers, 
can affirm, with the voice of truth, " We have no 
slaves." The fetters of tyranny were too brutal, on 
bone of their bone, and flesh of their flesh, to have 
existence in the metropolis of the world, and were 
broken off" by the incessant petitions of the friends 
of liberty, and discarded from the laws of the British 
kingdom. 

America, by turmoil and blood in her infancy, 
struggled for liberty from English oppression, and 
gained it. Yet there are laws of toleration in the 
American Constitution which assume a more dismal 
aspect than any in that kingdom from which she 
was emancipated. How, then, can the American 
boast of liberty, when slavery reigns triumphant ? 
Why rear the banner that bears the motto of fiction ? 
Why raise the cry of freedom, when the African re- 
mains in bondage ? Ye sons of America, blush for 
the treason you have committed on the flag of your 
liberty and the Declaration of your Independence. 



106 rice's orations. 

Lament for the iniquity you have brought upon your- 
selves, and the deep crimson by which you are stain- 
ed. Although you have not all been engaged in the 
same personal transgressions, yet the black cloud 
of Heaven's vengeance Avill soon spread over you as 
a nation of criminals, and will pour forth its thun- 
der bolts of devastation and death, except you re- 
pent of your transgressions, and by reformation turn 
to God. 

Marvellous, indeed, that a nation which bears the 
name of a Republic, should destroy it by practice, 
and infringe upon their Declaration of Independence, 
which declares, " All men are born free and equal, 
having the same inalienable rights and privileges," 
and thereby render themselves obnoxious to their 
own authority, become exposed to the indignity of 
foreign powers, prove traitors to their own liberty, 
and aliens to the voice of freedom. Such are the 
beings that have stigmatized America with the black 
seal of infamy, and excluded from their bosom the 
last trait of humanity. Such are they that have 
robbed Africa of her sons and daughters, proved 
themselves hypocrites in the eyes of the world, glory 
in the rich productions of the sweat and blood of 
slaves, and pour forth their cruelty upon their unfor- 
tunate victims. Ye sons of America, who are not 
engaged in this traffic of cruelty, weep for your vile 
countrymen, and let your hearts and voices, in one 
simultaneous ejaculation, ascend to Heaven for their 
reform ; and Avith the might that God has given 
you, use all suitable means for their recovery. 

The spirit and practice of Slavery, counteract the 
spirit of the Gospel. And if we can prove this as- 
sertion, it, of course, must be an evil. If so, it must 
be followed with a curse. Therefore, it becomes us, 
as citizens of one common Republic, to destroy its 
baneful influence from our land, to oppose its vota- 
ries, and lift up our voices as friends to God and our 
countr}'', with one united effort against it. It is the 



ON SLAVERY. 107 

love of gold that holds the slave in bondage, and by 
it the slave-holder sells his soul : " For if any man 
love the world, the love of the Father is not in 
him." 

The words which I have selected for the founda- 
tion of this discourse, are full of kind instruction. 
They strike the death-blow to cruelty and oppres- 
sion, and require man to use his fellow man as well 
as he does himself. This was the will of God con- 
cerning him in his first creation, and remains the 
same down to this present day. When our Savior 
commanded us to " Love our neighbor as ourselves,'' 
he did not intend we should bind him in chains, and 
lacerate him with stripes, until his blood ran to the 
ground. When he left the injunction, " Love your 
enemies," he did not mean we should steal them 
from their friends, their homes, the land that gave 
them birth, and bind them hand and foot, cast them 
into dungeons of despair, and oppress them with 
hunger and disease, for the want of food and the 
pure atmosphere of heaven, of which they have of- 
ten been deprived by their cruel masters. Nor did 
he intend they should be driven like cattle to the 
market, hand-cuffed and chained, and to the highest 
bidder sold. 

My reader I behold the slave in all his gloomy ap- 
pearance ! See him torn by the kidnapper from his 
father and mother, brother and sister, children and 
wife, and from all the nearest and dearest ties of 
nature ; he is forced from his native country and 
borne to a foreign shore to dwell among strangers, 
to feel the lash of tigers who live in a land of Chris- 
tianity, and many of them professing the religion 
of the Son of God. If such be the practice of 
American citizens who have the name of Christians 
among the Gentile world, we need not marvel that 
. the Heathen war against Christianity, when her 
professors are so strongly bound to the wicked one, 
and carry out his doctrine of hiffh treason. Let the 



108 rice's orations. 

slave-holder blush, nor longer profess to enjoy the 
true spirit of the Gospel. 

O Africa ! ill-fated Africa ! Hard has been the 
lot of thy sons and daughters. Their tears have 
been extorted by the iron yoke of oppression, and 
much of that oppression has come from a nation 
called Republican, and recorded in the history of 
revolutions as the brightest Star that gilds the world. 
Yet this Star has been darkened by the foul prac- 
tice of robbery ; and what is worse than all, by the 
theft of human beings. Strange practice ! black 
with treason — in war with the God of Heaven and 
the laws of nature. Nothing but the long practice 
of Slavery could tolerate the curse and perpetuate 
its brutal existence. 

It has been remarked by some, that Africans are 
unintelligent — that they were designed for slaves by 
the great Original of their creation — that they have 
a black mark upon them, showing the inferiority of 
their existence, and servitude was designed to be 
the burden of their lives. But this assertion has 
no foundation. Only give the African the same 
privileges as the American, the Irishman, or any 
other native on the globe, and let those privileges 
be handed down for a few generations, and you may 
see intellectual stars increased by Africans, that will 
do honor to the mental heavens. They will arise 
from their degradation of heathenism and ignorance, 
and act their part in the enlightened theatre of life. 
Others have remarked that the African cannot live 
by his own genius and industry, and it is better for 
him to be a slave than a free man. But it has been 
proved that the enlightened African can obtain a 
livelihood, and accumulate wealth, as well as the 
American. 

It is the nature of man to desire some high sta- 
tion in life ; and if he can gain it, he sooner rejoices 
in the downfall of his competitor than in his pros- 
perity, especially if by his overthrow he obtains his 



ON SLAVERY. 109 

own desired eminence. Man, in the state of nature, 
cares nothing for just principles, any more than what 
contribute to his weahh and honor in this life. He 
would as soon rise to affluence by the degradation 
and servitude of others, as he would by their joy 
and happiness, because selfishness and envj^ lurk in 
his heart. Such is the principle of many who gain 
their wealth and eminence through the labor and 
sweat of degraded negroes, who are borne down by 
tj'ranny, live in ignorance, and in ignorance expire. 
No doubt some masters treat their slaves with much 
affection, while others use them worse than brutes. 
But the principle we despise ; for the very name of 
Slavery in a united Republic, destroys its honor and 
staggers the commiseration of man. 

The traveller, as he passes through the Southern 
States, has proof of amalgamation, beyond contra- 
diction. He sees a variety of colors, between the 
white man and the sons of Africa. And more 
than that, he witnesses the likeness of the master, 
his son, or driver, in the young population, in various 
instances. Here is a stamp of nature's God, that 
rises up as a swift witness against the polluted fa- 
ther, condemns him with infamy in this life, and 
a much darker stigma beyond his probationary ex- 
istence. 

Ye mothers of Israel inspired with philanthropy ! 
let us change the position of this deadly evil. Sup- 
pose you and your daughters were in the same sit- 
uation as the daughters of Slavery, how would your 
hearts beat with agony and your spirits sink within 
you ! Then let your tears fall in sympathy, your 
petitions be presented, and all your energies combine 
with the population of the north and every other 
lover of liberty, until you reach the centre of this 
deadly malady. Do what you can for the healing 
of the nation, and if 3^ou cannot cure the disease, 
you will be able to clear your skirts of innocent 
blood, by using all the influence God has given you. 



110 rice's orations. 

Pause, my reader, and lament at the strange sig- 
nals of American liberty ! Behold her banner float- 
ing in the breeze, with false inscription, crimsoned 
with the blood of Africans, and marred with the 
chains of Slavery ! Hear her cannon roar from hill 
and dale, for the commemoration of Independence 
purchased by the blood of her ancestors, while op- 
pression and bondage triumph over the sons and 
daughters of Africa. See the sky rockets and rosin 
fires ascend the heavens as omens of American free- 
dom ; yet the friendless slave remains in perpetual 
bondage. Hear the shouts of triumph and liberty 
in voUies ascend from the white sons of freedom, 
while the wailing cries of the poor negroes for as- 
sistance, are put forth in vain. 

Strange reality ! which ought to make every citi- 
zen blush, and the slaveholder turn pale. Foul in- 
scriptions of liberty, black as hell, and daring as 
demons lost. 0, America ! vile and polluted Amer- 
ica ! Put forth thy groans, and begin thy wailings, 
for the curse of God as a nation, shall come upon 
you for the crimes you have committed, and the be- 
som of his destruction will send you to the lowest 
hell. 

To the sons and daughters of this Republic, 
who have been favored by the King of kings above 
all nations on the globe, I speak ; yet, in the midst 
of such light, have spurned the requirements of 
Heaven ! how can you escape the wrath due to your 
crimes? Nothing but true repentance and reform, 
can shield you from the wrath of God and save youj 
from your sins. ' 

We will now ask the question, Why is Slavery 
perpetuated in these United States? Because the 
northern people bow to the south, and the slaveholder ; 
loves concupiscence and gold more than he does his J 
God — desires to be called of men Rabbi, and to rear ' 
himself up on the downfall of others. As long as this I 
principle remains in the majority of voters, public 



ON SLAVERY. Ill 

opinion will never destroy the chains of Slavery. 
But there is a way to destroy Slavery and to make 
slaves — to take the yoke from one man^s neck and 
place it on another. It is wading through seas of 
blood, either by foreign powers or home insurrection. 
And wlio can tell but ere long the slave shall be 
free and the white man brought into bondage ? But 
I hope such justice will be evaded by man's yielding 
to the terms of freedom and obeying the requirements 
of Heaven. 

Africa, long degraded in ignorance, shall be free. 
The cloud of darkness that has brooded over her for 
ages, is dispersing by the rich Gospel of the Son of 
God. The missionary with " Good will to all men," 
is spreading the news of salvation through her bor- 
ders. Her rivers and deserts, which have long been 
travelled by the sons of heathenism, " Begin to bud 
and blossom as the rose." The bright cloud of 
moral and divine intelligence will soon expand her 
golden wings over her, and her banner will be 
raised, on which will be inscribed. Liberty without 
fiction, and freedom without Slavery. " The Ethi- 
opian cannot change his skin, nor the leopard his 
spots ;" yet the blood-bought soul of the African 
may be made pure and comely as the white 
man's, be beloved of God, and wear as bright a 
crown. 

Slavery, in this American Eepublic, will yet pre- 
vail. The master's car of pollution, in all its des- 
potism and death, shall still roll on. The slave 
ships shall spread their sails to the breeze, and bear 
their cargoes of flesh and blood over the blue waves, 
while the shrieks and groans from their gloomy 
cabins shall rend the air and break the strongest 
heart. Chains and hand-cuffs shall draw tears from 
Africans, and the dens of pollution gladden the 
debauchee's wicked soul. The driver's scourge and 
sword shall torment the negro and clothe him with his 
own blood. The foul practice of amalgamation shall 



112 rice's orations. 

variegate the color and features of man. The father 
shall deflour his daughter and the son his sister, and 
rejoice in their wickedness without the fear of God. 
The cruelty of Slavery in all its branches, shall tri- 
umph over the voice of humanity, and lamentation's 
doleful sound be heard on our sea-beaten shores, 
while the wings of the wind shall bear the mourn- 
ful dirge over the blue Alleganies to the far-off val- 
ley of the west, where the same curse triumphs over 
Africa's sons and daughters. 

But the vengeance of God, though delayed, will 
not always slumber. The storm of wrath is gather- 
ing over America, and will soon burst in seven-fold 
thunder and pour forth its artillery of death on the 
vile offender — " For he that soweth to the flesh, shall 
of the flesh reap corruption." " And though the 
wicked go hand in hand, jet their sins will find 
them out, and they shall be punished for their ini- 
quities." Man may for a season escape justice, 
yet the time will come when his works shall be 
tried by fire — the fornicator judged, and if he dies 
without hope, will receive his final doom ; for at 
the end of the world, the judgment of God will be 
against him, saying, "He that is filthy, let him be 
filthy still." 

Nations, because they are Republican, need not 
think themselves impregnable. Where are the an- 
cient Republics ? Their sins have found them out — 
their crowns have been taken away, and monarchy- 
has triumphed in their stead. In all probability, 
before many years expire, some unseen dagger will 
pierce the heart of our Constitution, and draw from 
her the last drop of vital blood ; and on her ruins 
build up anarchy and death. Who knows but the 
sword of vengeance is already drawn, that will shake 
America to her very foundation? She has been 
guilty of the foulest crimes — driven the soil owner 
from his native home and possession — compelled 
him to flee to the Missouri, and take his residence 



ON SLAVERY. 113 

(among wild beasts and strangers ; and will soon 
compel him to scale the Rocky mountains, and, for 
aught I know, he will finally make his grave in the 
Pacific ocean, and be forced to bid an eternal fare- 
well to the residence of his ancestors — to the land 
which gave him birth ; he must continue his depre- 
dations on the poor ignorant slave. Because the 
education of the African and Indian is inferior to his 
own, he glories in victory over them, for sin has fill- 
ed his heart. Instead of the peaceable spirit that 
should inspire his soul, he possesses the animosity 
of a tiger, and sallies for revenge on his helpless 
prey. 

But why find fault with the cruelty of Slavery, if 
every thing that takes place was sanctioned by God 
long before man had existence. If all the transac- 
tions of men, and the powers that be, are immuta- 
bly ordained of God, then the libertine does his will 
as well as the Christian, and the slave and slave- 
holder are fulfilling the wisdom of his eternal de- 
crees. Therefore, it is the height of folly to cen- 
mre any for misdemeanor, since every act was con- 
5rmed on the creature before he had existence ; and 
\ie may as well undertake to create worlds, as to 
irary the least tittle from the predestination of God 
concerning him. But this black scheme of the devil 
;o destroy the human famil}^ cannot exist in the 
nind of Jehovah, any more than lost angels can be 
lappy in Heaven. Man must be accountable to 
jrod, and if he commits sin the blame rests on his 
)wn soul; "For by his works he shall be condemned, 
ind by his works he shall be justified." Therefore, 
;he slaveholder, with all saints and sinners, shall 
^ive an account of his stewardship to God ; and 
ivhen he is weighed in the balance and found want- 
ing, he must receive the bitter fruits of his own do- 
ngs. In that day when God shall judge the world, 
16 will find no refuge in the doctrine of eternal de- 
crees of whatsoever comes to pass ; but will find 
8 



114 rice's orations. ^^ 

" whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin," 
and by his voluntary transgressions he must suffer 
the penalty of eternal death ; "-for he that believeth 
not, shall be damned." 

There is but one remedy for removing the scourge 
of Slavery. It is repentance for holding the slave 
in bondage and voting to send delegates who rivet 
the chains of Slavery. It is the forsaking of all 
those vices which are degrading in their nature- 
brought the negro to the level of the brute creation 
by unjust authority, which intrudes upon the rights 
of God and man — shuts the cries of mercy's voice 
and expels the falling tear. When voters of the 
Northern States use their influence in deputizing 
men whom they know will operate in favor of 
Southern slave-holders, they are guilty of the same 
crime, stain their garments with the same dye, and 
must expect punishment for the same treason. There 
is no evasion of the crime ; for their raiment is red 
with the blood of their victims, which rises up as a 
swift witness against them. 

Slavery is an evil, and most degrading in its na- 
ture. It has spread over the negro its funeral pall 
for gone-by ages, has robbed him of his birthright, 
effaced the title of American Liberty, and stigma^ 
tized our Republic with the foulest infamy that ever 
disgraced a nation of freemen. If so, let us arise 
from our slumber, flee to the rescue, lay side and 
shoulder to the wheel, until the car of freedom shall 
roll triumphant, and the flag of emancipation shall 
float on the gentle zephyrs through every star in the 
Union, and the poor degraded African breathe free 
once more. In so doing we shall prove our repent- 
ance and reform, and live on terms of friendship 
with God and man. 

Ye friends of liberty, who desire the emancipatioa 
of Southern slaves, lift up your voices like seven 
thunders against the foul blot of Slavery, which has 
long stained this American Republic ! Repeat your 



ON SLAVERY. 115 

cries, and let them echo from the broad Atlantic to the 

[Pacific ocean, and be heard over hill and valley until 

' the hostile master withdraw his chains. Ye servants 

of the most high God ! ministers of the everlasting 

Gospel! who believe in liberty on earth as well as 

in Heaven, in the fear of your master and not of 

;men, let the principle of Gospel freedom and the 

, freedom of your country be heard from the sacred 

-desk, until the poor negro shall breathe the pure 

;atmosphere of the sons of God, and feel the true 

-;Iiberty of the white man. This is the just claim 

of Africans ; this the rich enterprise in which 

-Heaven rejoices, and for which our fathers bled and 

.died. • 

; Rejoice, ye worthies, who are engaged in the ex- 
Eemption of degraded Africans. Your case is one of 
(the most just and momentous that ever inspired the 
•abreast of man. It is merciful in its nature, and is 
ilsustained by the declaration and true spirit of Hea- 
ven. The voice of reason and friendship recom- 
mends it to every heart ; and every man honestly 
engaged in it, proves that he loves the slave, his 
country, and his God. Ye devoted heroes for the 
iberty of Africans ! press on your way rejoicing ; be 
a^irded with the panoply of the Gospel, and your 
ears and petitions, in combination with the slave's, 
>vill move that arm that moves the world, and those 
niserable victims that are groaning under the lash 
)f servitude and despair, will rise up and call you 
jlessed. And when the last retribution day of eter- 
lity shall award the final decision of lost men and 
mgels, your labors of mercy shall be as stars in your 
;rown of rejoicing, while the poor negro, freed from 
lis chains of bondage and made rich in God, shall 
;ay amen to your salvation. And as you rise higher 
.ind yet higher still in the sublime raptures of Hea- 
ven, the glorious reflection on your past effort to lib- 
irate the slave, will cheer your souls through eternal 
existence. 



ORATION VI. 
MISSIONARY CALL. 



' Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature. "'- 
Mark xvi. 15. 



This injunction came from .Heaven. It was the 
solemn and powerful commission of the Son of God, 
and was laden with realties momentous beyond de- 
scription. It was given to the apostles by our Sav- 
ior just before his ascension into Heaven, and has 
ever since held its authority over every minister of 
the Lord Jesus, and in a greater or less degree on all 
Christians. 

Almost every thing depends on the education of 
youth. On them is suspended the spiritual weal or 
woe of our world in days yet to be numbered. If 
so, let us weigh the force of education. If the germ 
is placed in just direction, it will ascend the heavens 
and adorn the forest ; but if not, it will be a mere 
nuisance among the neighboring trees. " Train up 
a child in the way he should go." said the wise man, 
" and when he is old he will not depart from it." His 
meridian of life will be a star in the mental hea- 
vens, shining all about him, expelling the darkness 
of intellectual night, and will prove instrumental in 
leading immortal souls to the great Shepherd of the 
sheep. 

But if on the other hand, he be educated in sin 
and error, his footsteps will be marked with infamy, 
and he will spread the shades of midnight in every 
direction — poison the society in which he lives, and 
lead them down to the spirit's hell. 



MISSIONARY CALL. 117 

But the question is, how shall we educate youth 

for the most speedy spread of the Gospel, and con- 

I i^ersion of the world ? Here my heart recoils ; for 

I Tiy pen is inadequate for the task. But through 

:he help of Him who answers prayer, I will com- 

t nence my theme. 

! In the first place, the subject has strong claims on 
parents. Since mankind are born in sin, and sub- 
set to the penalty of the divine law, the young 
should be taught by their parents their sad condi- 
ion by nature, and what they must be by grace to 
)btain the favor of God. Parents, Avith a holy zeal 
Jurning on the altar of their hearts, should urge the 
'importance of regeneration to their offspring, and 
'iccompany it with their prayers, and a life of sin- 
cere devotion. They should put in action all their 
energies for the speedy conversion of their children ; 
jfor this is the first step of the Missionary of the 
:ross. If a man possess all the science and riches 
)f the world, without Christ in his barque, he wih 
run aground, or founder on the rocks of mortal per- 
dition. 

Again, if the worth of the souls of men be near 
Iparents' hearts, they will not confine that desire to 
:heir own bosoms, but will convey it with ardent 
soul to the tender minds of their children, as soon 
:is they come to years of understanding. They will 
'Urge it on their memories time and again, as a rich 
memento of the Son of God, being his last Will 
and Testament, sealed by his dying groans on the 
:ross, and his resurrection from the grave. They 
will urge on their minds the immortal worth of the 
souls of men, and press upon them with all the ten- 
der emotions and striking pathos of their hearts, a 
spirit of philanthropy for the world. 

Youth have also a claim on Sabbath school teach- 
ers, as well as on all christendomn. Every friend of 
God and man cannot fail to instruct the youth in 
those things that pertain to the happiness of the 



118 rice's orations. 

world. When death shall end their parents' career 
in this life, and they go home to the church triumph- 
ant, they are to become the pillars of the church 
militant, and adorn it by the rich reflection of the 
grace of God. Let the instructor have thi% in view, 
and he will use his utmost effort to improve those 
useful minds committed to his care, and magnify 
that spark of grace begun, by teaching them the re- 
quirements of the Gospel, and the burning zeal and 
persevering effort it demands for the salvation of 
men. He may behold in them the buds of genius 
beginning to expand, that will soon open in the full 
bloom of manhood, and become celestial stars, that 
will shine on man's moral darkness, until they shall 
wake up light in the Gentile world ; " for faith 
cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of 
God." 

But to all persons who have " Christ in their souls 
the hope of glory," many of the branches of human 
literature are highly important, for usefulness through 
life. For any man whose heart is right toward God, 
it increases his power to do good, to grow in know- 
ledge. But the seminaries of education in which 
youth are trained ought to be selected with care. 
Instructors should be inspired with deep piety ; and 
as they teach the arts of men, they should never 
forget to teach the sublime art of Religion, which 
took its origin in Heaven, and cost the death of the 
incarnation of the Son of God, to make it accessible 
to man. In seminaries of the education of youth, 
Divinity should be ever kept in remembrance as well 
as literature, and the leading features of the Gos- 
pel be often repeated in the disciple's ear, that his 
zeal in the cause of God may not be mitigated 
through his term of labor to gain the arts and sci- 
ences. And when he obtains the rudiments of his 
usefulness through life, his soul may be on fire to 
spread the salvation of his Master's kingdom. 

Children should be taught to love all mankind, 



MISSIONARY CALL. 119 

and to put their love in practice as fast as their 
means shall increase. When the riches of this 
world swell their stores, instead of holding- their 
treasures with a miser's grasp, they should let their 
light shine to the world, and prove to be the stew- 
ards of God, by contributing to their brother's need. 
Though they cannot all sound the Gospel trumpet ; 
yet they may impart the means which God has given 
them to carry on the glorious work of Missionary 
enterprise for the conversion of the world. The 
name of Christian does not make one in reality ; 
but he that doeth the will of God. Therefore if 
any man will be a Missionary of Christ, he must be 
crucified to the Avorld, and all he holds dear on 
earth must be laid upon God's altar, and there re- 
main at his disposal ; for it is impossible for any 
man to serve two masters — to hold the riches of the 
world in one hand, and Religion in the other. 

Youth should be educated to preach by example, 
that they be not stumbling blocks to the world, over 
which sinners may descend the steeps of eternal 
death. Moreover they should reprove the works of 
darkness in good faith, with all prudence, holding 
fast the testimony of God. As they behold sinners 
of every order pressing their way to the abodes of 
darkness, they should impart to them the kind ad- 
monitions of the Gospel, and entreat them by ex- 
postulation and tears to forsake their sins, and by 
repentance turn to God. The true Missionary of 
the Gospel may find work to do in every place. 
Whether he be among Gentiles, or where the Gos- 
pel has been preached for ages, the claims of God 
are upon him to do all that he can for man's salva- 
tion, for as long as sin aboundeth he must " cry 
aloud and spare not." 

The youthful minds should be inspired with the 
necessity of missionary effort, to spread the Gospel 
over the world, when they consider the worth of the 
immortal soul. The most striking proof of the value 



120 rice's orations. 

of the soul is drawn from the love of God to man. 
The eternal Divinity, after man was shut out of Par- 
adise, looked in mercy on his sad condition — sur- 
passed the wisdom of men or angels, and devised 
a plan for man's redemption. By the balances of 
his wisdom he weighed the immortal soul ! In one 
scale he put man's deathless spirit, and in the other 
piled worlds on worlds, and the all-conscious soul 
outweighed them all ! It was for this rich jewel 
God was manifest in the flesh — seen of angels, and 
preached to the world ! For this deathless prize 
the blood of Heaven stained the ground in Gethse- 
mane ! For this immortal gem destined for eterni- 
ty, the crimsoned stream of Jesus run down the brow 
of Calvary ! For this matchless worth God closed 
his eyes incarnate, while his voice rent the Temple — 
made the earth tremble, and raised the sleeping 
dead ! Thus heaven died to redeem the immortal 
soul! 

Again, missionaries should be excited to action 
when they consider that the Heathen world lie in 
darkness and the shadow of death ; since there is 
no other name given whereby they may be saved, 
but the name of Jesus, and that precious name they 
have never heard. Man's life is but a vapor. What 
ever is done by the servants of the Lord in preach- 
ing the Gospel, or sinners in believing the same, 
must be done quickly. Every moment is laden with 
eternal realities. The Gentile world are daily clos- 
ing their probationary state by thousands, without 
ever hearing the Gospel's joyful sound. Then let 
the Christian arise from his slumber, be up and do- 
ing while the day lasts for the conversion of the 
world, and when the angel of death shall end his 
earthly existence, " he will shine as the stars of the 
firmament forever and ever !" And as he surrounds 
the Tree of Life, that yields her fruit every month, 
whose leaves heal the nations, he will exclaim in 
honor to his great deliverer, " here I am with the 



MISSIONARY CALL. 121 

rich gems thou hast given me, crowned with the 
shining garments of the Son of righteousness, cheer- 
ing as the Waters of Life, and lasting as God's ex- 
istence." And when he shall look back on the 
shores of mortality, where he spent his day of grace 
in honor to God, toiling for man's future welfare ; 
the bright stars of glory, redeemed through the 
blood of Jesus, destined to shine in the firmament 
of Heaven through his instrumentality, shall ever 
reflect light on his soul, as they wave in banners of 
victory over the abode of lost spirits, in honor to the 
King of their salvation. And as they sing the song 
of redemption, and greet each other from the tops 
of the holy mountains, the sweet zephyrs of Hea- 
ven shall exhilarate his soul, as he enjoys the so- 
ciety of those stars in his crown of immortality ; 
while the silver waves of the sea of glass, that 
dash upon the crystal shores above, shall inspire 
him with rapture, as he sails in Zion's ship, wafted 
by the rich breezes of Heaven, on the ocean of eter- 
nal life ! 

If all this flood of glory remains for the missionary 
of the cross and his converts to Jesus ; and that by 
the Gospel alone salvation is to "cover the globe, as 
the waters cover the mighty deep ;" and that man 
is to be the instrument to spread that Gospel over 
the world ; how all important that every Christian 
should be up and doing for the salvation of his coun- 
trymen, before midnight gloom shall terminate the 
probation of millions upon millions more ; and the 
spirit land of lost angels shall be their abode, among 
the groans and wailings of an endless night ! where 
no voice of mercy shall ever enter with the rich 
news of pardon to the sinner's ear — no blood of 
atonement bear on its healing wings " Salvation" 
through the medium of Calvary ! But instead of 
the cheering news of exemption, the sad cries of 
damned spirits shall re-echo through the dreary cav- 
erns of the lost, while " The smoke of their torments 



122 rice's orations. 

ascendeth up forever and ever," and the cry of "Lost 
hope" confirms their doom in the dark prison of eter- 
nal death ! Awake ! ye servants of God awake ! put 
on the whole Christian armor — fight manfully the 
battles of the Lord — until lost Eden shall be restored, 
mankind rise from their degradation, and once more 
reflect the image of their Savior. 

Once more we infer the necessity of the spread 
of the Gospel, because of the eternal existence and 
progression of the soul in Heaven or hell. Let us 
consider for a moment the duration of the deathless 
spirit which was infused by the breath of God in 
the garment of mortality when man became a living 
soul. This miniature of God shall live forever. 
Yes, that spark, lit up by the great Jehovah, which 
is a part of his own nature, shall find no end to its 
existence ; sooner shall this earth crumble to ruins — ■ 
the sun be darkened — -the moon turned to blood, and 
the stars fall from Heaven, than the soul terminate 
its being. 

Were every grain of sand on the shore a mil* 
lion of years, and every particle of dust in this 
mighty globe that million ten thousand times mag- 
nified, there will be a period in the future history of 
the spirit of man when these countless millions of 
years shall have passed away ; and in that far dis- 
tant date, beyond the reach of finite computation, the 
soul with astonishment will exclaim, either with the 
damned or saved, eternity with all its momentous 
realities is just begun. 

Again, we insist on the importance of the spreads 
of the Gospel, because if the soul be lost, the loss 
surpasses all finite comprehension — and if it leave 
the body without hope in God through the merits of ' 
Christ, it can never scale the highlands of Heaven.' 
The hell to which the wicked spirit is fast hasten- 
ing, is a " bottomless pit" that knows no bounds of 
agony. And the very nature of the soul as well as 
testimony from God, indicate its eternal progression. 



MISSIONARY CALL. 123 

If SO, its torment must magnify forever. Yes, the 
time will appear in the future history of the lost spirit, 
when it shall have shed more tears, heaved more 
groans, and endured more sufferings, than all Adam's 
race down to this present moment. More than this. 
The time will come when the lost spirit shall have 
endured more agonies, than all the devils and spir- 
its in hell have endured since their first creation to 
the present hour. Nay, still more. The time will 
appear, when the lost soul under the wrath of God 
shall have suffered more torments than all the ban- 
ished creation of God's universe have suffered since 
their origin up to the present now, or will suffer for 
millions of centuries to come. 

To have a full estimate of the worth of the Gos* 
pel and saving faith in the same, the soul must de- 
scend to the dreary caverns of the damned, and 
there spend an eternal progression in amplification 
of misery, and endure all the torments of the lost 
spirit under the execration of an offended God. 
More than this — he must ascend the mansions of 
Heaven which God has prepared for them that love 
him, and experience all the raptures in glory that a 
sanctified soul can enjoy in its eternal progression 
among the angels of light. If such be the immortal 
interests of the Gospel, how can the Christian refuse 
to labor for its promulgation ? 

Moreover, we see the necessity of the spread of 
the Gospel, because of the unspeakable joys of Hea- 
ven which are obtained by its saving efficacy. " Eye 
hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered 
into the heart of man, to conceive those things 
which God has prepared for them that love him." 
Were the earth, sun, moon, and stars composed of 
pearl, gold, and diamonds of the most precious kind ; 
and we had them under our control to enjoy in all 
the buoyancy of youth for ten thousand years, they 
would be no more in comparison to the joys of Hea- 
ven, than a feather floating in the breeze. As pro- 



124 rice's orations. 

gresses the soul in hell, so is its progression in Hea- 
ven ; but not in the same course. The saved soul 
is approaching nearer and nearer to God, while the 
lost is departing from him. That soul which shall 
dwell in eternal life, shall arrive to a point in future 
existence, when it shall have more knowledge than 
Gabriel now has, and shall have enjoyed more hap- 
piness than all the saints and angels in Heaven have 
enjoyed down to this present moment. If such be 
the happiness produced by the blessed Gospel, let 
us labor with all the ability God has given us, for 
its circulation through the world. 

Furthermore, we plead the importance of the Gos- 
pel's promulgation, because it transforms the fallen 
soul. See that vile wretch in his moral pollution ; 
he spurns the ways of God, and loves the works of 
iniquity. The poison of death moves his tongue to 
utterance, and his steps take hold on the deepest 
hell. Mark his downward course. In the hours of 
midnight he revels at the chant of the riot ; sports 
at the gambling table ; haunts the grogshops of ine- 
briation ; curses the gentle hand that sustains him ; 
steals his neighbor's gold ; and what is worse than 
all, takes his life. His heart is like an adamant, 
and his conscience seared beyond remorse. But see 
that child of the devil when under the influence of 
the blessed Gospel ; his heart melts within him, 
while his sins pierce his smitten soul. He looks to 
that Savior he once despised, and through faith se- 
cures his salvation. His heart leaps for joy; he be- 
comes anew man in Christ Jesus; a fit subject for 
the society of saints on earth, and a candidate for 
the upper sanctuary. How great the change ? Yes- 
terday he was under the bondage of sin ! now made 
free by the blood of Jesus. Yesterday, without hope 
in the world ! now prepared for the society of an- 
gels, and the church of the first born in Heaven. 
His tongue swells the song of thanksgiving to God, 
and his heart beats high for immortality. The 



:ijm 



RICE S ORATIONS. ]25 

friends of Jesus are his friends, and their resting 
place his eternal habitation. 

Lastly, we urge the universal spread of the Gos- 
pel, because it restores our lost Eden ; converts na- 
tions that thirst for blood to the practice of God's 
Revelation ; spreads the knowledge of the Savior 
where Paganism has long triumphed in savage cru- 
elty ; beats back the waves of sedition, which for 
gone-by ages have rolled mountains high with slaugh- 
ter, and on their ruins rears the flag of liberty, con- 
firmed by the blood of atonement and the united 
Divinity of Heaven. This is peace on earth — " Good 
will to men " — a world restored from the dominion 
of satan to the worship of God. Such will be the 
future triumph of the Gospel ; such the final salva- 
tion of the fallen race. Then let the nations of the 
earth shout aloud for joy, and pray for the day of 
their redemption; for the Lord God Omnipotent 
reigneth ! and in him alone shall man be able to 
stand amid the expiring groans of nature, and the 
conflagration of a burning world. 

What more shall we say to urge the spread of the 
Redeemer's kingdom ? We have described the 
way in which it may be done. We have attempted 
to show the incalculable importance of its promulga- 
tion. What more can we say than we have already 
said ? " Let us work while the day lasts, for the 
night cometh when no man can work." Push the 
battle to the gate ! Use all our efforts to labor for 
God, that we may be instrumental in beating back 
the waves of darkness which will diminish that fune- 
ral throng which are daily plunging the fires that 
never shall be quenched. In so doing we may be 
able to extinguish the cry of neglect at the judgment 
day ; be approved of God, and wear a heavenly crown. 
This, fellow youth, is the will of God concerning us ; 
this the only way to save our countrymen from devour- 
ing fire, and secure our own salvation amid conflicting 
elements and the decision of the last judgment. 



ORATION VII. 
ON AUTUMN'S FADING GLORY. 

"The grass withereth and the flower thereof falleth away." — Peter i. 25. 



When we cast our eyes around us on the works 
of nature's God — when we behold the luminary of 
day giving radiance to the world, from whose light 
vegetation springs into existence — when we see hills 
and valleys, rivers and oceans, smiling with the lux- 
uries of man — we lift our grateful eyes to Heaven 
in adoration to the Great Original of all these earth- 
ly glories. But again our eyes traverse the same 
landscape, and in quick flight survey the creation of 
God : And lo ! the scene is changed — the glories of 
Autumn are blasted by the frosts of Winter, and 
the general appearance of earth's amphitheatre is 
inverted for the gloom of death : and at the sight 
we marvel at all these glories are thus conquered 
by the fell tyrant, and behold in them the likeness 
of man's mortality. Again we lift up our eyes to 
Heaven and worship God ; for by the sacred tes- 
timony we believe, " Though man dies, yet shall 
he live again, for death shall no longer have do- 
minion over him." Thus mankind survive Au- 
tumn's fading glory, and live when the works of 
nature die. 

But the powers of mental attraction draw us to 
ancient ruins and revolutions. We look for them 
among the departed glories of former centuries ; and 
often treasure them up as the choicest portion of our 
early attainments. It were a jubilee to amuse our- 



ON autumn's fading glory. 127 

selves by walking over the desolation of Thebes ; 
surrounding its pyramids, and mounting to their sum- 
mit. It were worth days of turmoil to enter the city 
! of rock, the fortress of Edom, that we might obtain 
I a fragment from the crumbling wreck of structures, 
which cost the toil of ages. We could willingly 
spend days and months in exploring for some me- 
mento of Tadmor in the forest; or of Babylon, or of 
Nineveh, that great city of " three days' journey," 
in which God's servant preached. But we may 
read the death-knell of every earthly glory, and those 
devotees who shared a part in raising the mighty 
structures, which seem to challenge the gnawing 
tooth of time, by looking into the mirror of expir- 
ing nature, spread out before us at this Autumnal 
season. 

Let us ascend some lofty summit, survey the broad 
landscape, and behold the fading glories of the dy- 
ing year. See the beauties of that shroud now ex- 
panded before us in all the splendor of golden hues; 
in all the grandeur of sculpture, sketched and tilled 
out by the hand of Him who transcends the skill of 
the ablest artist. I see the garments of death im- 
pending through every pathway of life. I see the 
rays of light as they fall from the king of day upon 
the dying habiliments of nature, and thoughts come 
pressing on at the spectacle, such as I would cherish 
when the sun shall have withdrawn his light, and 
this clod of mortality have relinquished the spark 
that gives it life. It is no fiction that excites my at- 
tention, as I survey nature's dying theatre. It is no 
bubble that I grasp when I commune with Autumn's 
final groans, as she expires in the agonies of death. 
No ; it is a solemn reality, that must soon thwart 
the path of every man, for " All flesh is grass, and 
all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the 
field." Awake, then, O my soul ! come out of the 
depths of apathy ! retije from the busy crowds of 
life, and hold fellowship with God through the 



128 rice's orations. 

works of nature, now exposed to the view of dyini 
millions. 

Who can survey the fading glories of the season, 
and not feel his own corruption ? It is humbling 
to one elated with high expectations and fond hopes, 
that the very leaf he treads beneath his feet, is em- 
blematical of his own mortality. 

Pause, then, ye Alexanders, and meditate your 
own departure — ye who would conquer nations and 
subdue kingdoms : pause, ye mortals, who would 
ascend the summit of glory, or grasp the dross of 
time, that ye may be like some ancient monarch — 
the fading leaf is under your feet ; stoop down, and 
with it hold communion. See through the emblem 
of that leaf, where the giant arm has been withered, 
and become too weak to contend with children ; 
where ambition, with a brow of adamant, and breast 
of savage cruelty, has sought with importunity a few 
drops of water to quench its thirst ; and where 
thoughtless gaiety, that drove " wisdom out of life,'' 
cries out with the dying queen, " Millions of money 
for a moment of time !" Would you estimate the 
number of those beings who have played in this 
theatre of human action, and learn the end of theii 
fading glory? go count the leaves of the forest as 
they fade away, and tell the aggregate when sum- 
med up in one vast column too great for human com- 
putation. 

Such is the frailty of human life when contend 
plated by the records of truth on this Autumnal oc- 
casion. Who among us will be spared another year, 
and to whom does dying nature speak, in the dark 
shade she now decks herself, to prepare to imitate 
her, clad in funeral robes, before another season 
shall roll round ? Cast your eyes over this dying 
world, and see what vernal plants will survive the 
frosts of winter — what tree in the meridian of life, 
and what of riper years ? Had such a request been 
made at the last Autumn, would you have selected 



ON autumn's fading glory. 129 

I 

I 

tthose who have been borne to the marble field dur- 
'ing the year that has past? For whom, then, does 
I nature hold out her last warning, as she scatters the 
i;arro\vs of death among the children of men ? Is it 
for the young man or woman, or is it for the father 
or mother that watched over their infancy ? Disre- 
nrard the voice of the living preacher if you will ; 
ilet the admonitions imparted from the sacred desk, 
^gathered from the book of Nature, of Providence, 
and of God, be forgotten ; but harken ye to the dy- 
iijig voice of Autumn, as she pleads with you in all 
-'.he pathos of kind devotion, for the appearance of 
tlier countenance calls up the liveliest emotions of a 
Boul that never gets weary while contemplating her 
fading glories. Enchanting Nature ! I love thee 
,*'ith all thy vernal beauty ; and through thy rich 
smtelligence by fields of living light, I hope ever to 
vstudy the character of God. The fading flowers 
ftvhich now clothe the banks of the streams and val- 
leys ; and the variegated and sublime scenery spread 
;;)ut upon the hills and mountains, in one general 
3:ombination and touching pathos, set in upon my 
isoul. At this shrine of Nature, my stony heart shall 
melt, and often pay her tributary tears. 
I Shall we remain unmoved at the sombre notes of 
■sacred melody, which have so often vibrated in God's 
•leafy temple ? Shall we keep silent, while the sil- 
irer scaled fish and the feathered songsters, dumbly 
•speak the praise of God ? Let us search the works 
of Nature and listen to the requiem now sung by 
Lthe organ of the universe in accents of the deepest 
IMielody. And as our minds contemplate the rivers 
r)f time, which bear upon their bosoms many of the 
broken fragments of life — as they pursue their wind- 
ing courses to the great receptacle of all streams — 
\eX not our careless stupidity or the sin of all age 
,:lose our ears against the warning voice of such 
Monitors. 
1 May we not stand forth in the field of life like 

9 



130 RICE*S OKATIONS. 

! 

the mountain oak, hardened by t^e frosts of seventjf 
winters ? See that tree, towering above its fellows', 
and remaining obdurate amid the sunshine and storm 
of almost a century. Since it began to live, many ji 
of its neighboring trees have fallen and crumbled to l 
dust. There it stands, challenging every means] 
which Heaven has thrown around it for its fall. | 
God would have nourished it with the rich graces i 
of Heaven for his own Eden, and transplanted itj 
upon the banks of the " River of Life ;" but repeated] 
mercies and threatenings have been disregarded. I 
Lo ! these many years the Benefactor of life has 
been seeking fruit upon it, but found none. Oh, 
woodman, spare this aged tree ! nor tet the Savior 
plead in vain. j 

The fading glories of Autumn are not only em- 
blematical of our own mortality, but of the crush of ! 
matter and final wreck of worlds. This earth, which 
has stood for ages, and braved the revolutions of 
time, must grow weary by old age, deviate in her 
course, and expire by the fires of the last day ! The 
sparkling stars of heaven that have long glittered 
on the mantle of night, must fall from their sockets 
like the leaves of Autumn ! The vast luminary of 
day, that gives light to the planetary system, shall 
be darkened by the wrath of God, and swell the fu« 
neral dirge of dying worlds ! The silver moon, with 
her dim rays, which have so long dispelled night's 
dreary curtain, shall be turned to blood ! Amid this 
scenery of dying Nature, I see worlds on worlds 
expiring in the agonies of death ! For thus saith 
the Lord, "The sun shall be darkened— the moon 
turned to blood' — the stars shall fall from heaven, 
and the earth pass away." 0, my God ! in this final 
scene of ruin, secure me from thy wrath, and give 
me a hiding place in thy salvation. jl 

May the works of Nature, which have been pre- 
sented for our consideration, excite us to adore th©^ 
Fountain of all our mercies ; and as the day closes^ 



THE devil's preaching. 131 

by leaving its rays on the fading mountains, thus 
calmly may the writer and reader meet the Autumn 
lof life. And when these barques of mortality shall be 
dissolved and enter one common sepulchre, may 
they, like the returning spring, be reanimated by the 
•trump of the first resurrection, and awake in all the 
beauty of the rich sumbeams of the Son of God, and 
range the fields of light in the undying glories of the 
lupper sanctuary. 



ORATION VIII. 
THE DEVIL'S PREACHING. 



' And the Serpent said unto the woman, ye shall not surely die. ' 
Genesis iii. 4. 



The word of God is a source of vast instruction ; 
It confirms to man the origin of his creation, his 
primitive state of innocence, and his apostacy from 
the commands and approbation of his God. We 
learn from the Bible, that man Avas stationed in the 
Garden of Eden, endowed with authority to partake 
Df all its delicious fruits, except that of one tree, 
Which he was prohibited to partake of under the 
'penalty of death. In this delightful paradise our 
irst parents remained happy, until a certain preacher 
in his pilgrimage appeared to them, destroyed their 
happiness by his prevailing effort in preaching to 
them a lie — " Ye shall not surely die." 

" She plucked— she ate." 
Mankind were lost— earth felt the wound, 
Groaned to her centre, and in pangs expired. 



132 kice's orations. 

This preacher has various titles given to him in 
the Scriptures ; but his most common name is the. 
Devil, He was the instrument in destroying ou^. 
first parents, as is evident from many passages of, 
Scripture. Like an angel of glory he was once fill- 
ed with the light of Heaven, and to preach such 
doctrine he did violence to his own knowledge. 

He is an eminent preacher ; he had existences 
long before men were created, and introduced the 
first falsehood ever preached to man, and by whose 
guile our first parents sunk beneath the curse of the 
law. Almost six thousand years he has been pro- 
claiming the same doctrine in its various forms, de- 
stroyed multitudes of the human family, and led 
them down to the second death. 

This preacher has much cunning. When the sor- 
cerer endeavored to turn away the people from the 
faith of the Gospel, he is called the " child of the 
Devil, and full of all manner of subtlety," This was 
not only on the account of his being an enemy of all 
righteousness, but in his manifesting his carnal cun- 
ning in destroying the souls of men. His labors are 
unabating ; his deception and zeal have been perpet- 
uated ever since the creation of man. The apostle 
compares him to a roaring lion, " walking about 
seeking whom he may devour." His answer to the 
question of the Lord, was " From going to and fro 
in the earth." His bounds are very extensive — he 
ranges through earth and hell, and his desires are 
to increase his numbers in his black domain. 

This preacher is heterogeneous. He lays hold of 
both truth and error to secure his victims. When 
he promised the Savior all the kingdoms of the world, 
and the glory of them, this poor devil possessed not 
a foot of land in the universe. Thus we see his 
deception in all his branches of hypocrisy. In his 
preaching he uses great presumption. When God 
had declared in the plainest terms, " Thou shalt 
surely die," this audacious deceiver had the impu- 



THE devil's preaching. 133 

tience to oppose the declaration of God, and proclaim 
his own falsehood, "Ye shall not surely die." Thus 
he proved himself a liar by his own assertion, coun- 
teracting- the declaration of Heaven. 

This preacher is successful in his labors to obtain 
'numbers. Multitudes follow after him. He was 
successful with our first parents, and the old world. 
While Noah preached the righteousness of God to 
;ho spirits in prison, and the curse of disobedience, 
^' Thou shalt surely die," this old deceiver Avould 
breach " Ye shall not surely die," and the people 
toUowed after him, and were destroyed. So, when 
(Lot preached to the Sodomites, " Up, get ye out of 
';his place, for the Lord Avill destroy this city;" but 
;hey obeyed the old deceiver, who told them that 
Lot's preaching was false — there was no danger, 
'' Ye shall not surely die." They obeyed his voice, 
ind mocked at the preaching of Lot, and when the 
|:ighteous fled from the city sudden destruction came 
ipon them, and according to Jude, they are now 
''suffering the vengeance of eternal fire." 
^ The doctrine of this preacher was universal sal- 
Vation, " Ye shall not surely die." False and dar- 
ing assertion ! Not the least proof to confirm it ! 
The punishment contained in God's threatening-, 
Was doubtless eternal death, as nothing but this 
would represent God's extreme hatred of sin, or de- 
"Tiand an infinite atonement to make reconciliation 
"between God and man. If temporal death be the 
.;urse, then believers in Christ are not delivered from 
it ,• for the Christian dies as well as the sinner. 
'Therefore, the sentiments of'this universal preacher 
is no hell — no danger of eternal damnation — the 
wages of si^ is not death, but eternal life. 
'' We will notice the person addressed in the text. 
\\. was a woman, called by an apostle, " the weaker 
Vessel." " And the Serpent said unto the woman, 
ye shall not surely die." The reason he addressed 
Eve, was, because he thought she would not be as 



134 rice's okations. 

firm against the temptation as the man, and in all 
probability would fall in with his fatal deception ; 
doubtless he embraced the opportunity in the absence 
of her husband. This deceiver has had great suc- 
cess among the dark and ignorant portions of man- 
kind. His kingdom is that of darkness, and he hates 
the true light by which he fell from Heaven. Paul 
describes him and his works, " For of this sort are 
they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly 
women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts." 
Again he declares : " Now, I beseech you, brethren, 
mark them which cause divisions and offences con- 
trary to the docrine which ye have learned, and 
avoid them. For they that are such serve not our 
Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly ; and by good 
words and fair speeches, deceive the hearts of the 
simple." 

The Devil is a foe to all goodness and happiness. 
He even desires the misery of the brute creation. 
He gloried in tormenting the swine when he entered 
into them, and his main object is the torment of all 
creation. 

The old Serpent, before he began to preach his doc- 
trine, was a cunning and happy creature ; but now 
all his beauty and glory have departed. The im- 
precation of God is upon him ; for the Lord said unto 
him, " Thou art cursed above every beast ; upon 
thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all 
the days of thy life." 

We see his cunning duplicity in this manner — for 
the Devil gets both the preacher and hearers. S>a-< 
tan has many agents under him to do his will, be-- 
cause his dominions are extensive ; and as he is a 
created being, he can exist only in on^place at a- 
time. 

We will now consider the instrument made use 
of by the preacher. It was a serpent ; but why[ 
should the Devil preach through a serpent ? Td. 
save his own name and the better complete his 



41 



THE devil's preaching. 135 

purposes. Had he appeared to the woman un- 
masked, she would with more ease have discerned 
his deception. 

The reality of eternal damnation is at times so 
clearly enstamped on the mind, that even the Devil 
sometimes confesses there is a hell ; yet at other 
times he denies it. He desires to hide his lies 
from his prey, that he may with more ease secure 
it and save his own real character, which is black 
with treason, and full of all manner of hypocrisy. 

This same Devil that preached through the ser- 
pent to Eve, is still preaching the same falsehood, 
"Ye shall not surely die." Universal salvation, 
with a multitude of his other deceptions, has been 
his theme through all the generations of mankind, 
down to this present day. This doctrine is not new, 
but old and devilish. This is the ground why it 
should be rejected. The reason why Satan hates 
the Bible, is, because it proves him a liar, and de- 
stroys his false position when it says, " Go ye in- 
to all the world and preach the Gospel to every 
creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall 
be saved ; and he that believeth not shall be damn- 
ed." We see why Satan used such efforts to con- 
vince our first parents there was no hell, because he 
was afraid they would believe the truth of God and 
obey it, and be forever blessed with all their race, 
and he be damned alone, with all his fallen angels. 
If future punishment be not true, the Devil would be 
a fool to be so anxious to convince people there is 
none ; for it is his nature to lie. " And when he 
speaketh a lie, he speaketh of himself, for he is a 
liar and the father of it." 

We infer from the text that ministers should not 
be proud of their preaching, especially if they preach 
the Devil's doctrine, for they only use his old ser- 
mon, " Ye shall not surely die." preached by him 
almost six thousand years ago. This system of uni- 
versal salvation will prevail, for it well suits the 



136 rice's orations. 

wicked inclinations of man ; and the Devil, its au- 
thor, is not yet superannuated, nor will he be, until 
the commissioned angel of God " shall descend from 
Heaven with a great chain in his hand, and shall 
bind him and cast him into prison." Then shall 
his preaching die and his followers be no more on 
earth, " For all men shall know the Lord, from the 
least to the greatest." Every effort used against 
this universal preacher only excites his envy and 
enrages his black designs for the final destruction 
of the souls of men. 

If the Devil's scheme of universal salvation is true, 
and there be no possibility of eternal damnation, the 
heralds of that doctrine are inconsistent in using such 
exertion to publish their belief to mankind, for it mat- 
ters not what their faith and actions may be, the Gos- 
pel net will finally bring them all into the New Jer- 
usalem, and a new song shall be put into their mouths, 
even praise to God. 

If this plan of the Devil is true, its votaries 
counteract common sense when they spend their 
money to support their preachers, and spread their 
principles with no avail ; for the unbeliever is as 
sure of eternal salvation as the believer, therefore 
man needs no knowledge in faith or practice to be! 
saved. 

Again : If the Devil's preaching be true, the Bi- 
ble is false. Man may better believe in nothing 
future than to believe the words of the Devil, be- 
cause there is no truth in him, The precept of 
the Savior and that of Satan have no fellowship ; 
for the preaching of Satan is the universal and 
eternal salvation of all men, while that of the Sa- 
vior is eternal salvation for the righteous and eter- 
nal damnation for the wicked, because this is the. 
testimony of the word of God : " He that sinneth 
against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, hut 
is in danger of eternal damnation." Such a place,. 



:4I 



THE devil's preaching. 137 

therefore must exist, or there can be no danger 
of it. 

Again, saith Jesus : " Depart, ye cursed, into 
everlasting fire." Here the Greek word in the origi- 
nal is the same when applied to the saints as to the 
sinners ; so if there be an eternal Heaven for the 
righteous, there must be an eternal hell for the wick- 
ed. From scripture testimony, we have the same 
reason to believe one as the other ; and to believe 
otherwise, is to prefer the preaching of Satan to that 
of the Lord ; to choose the works of the Devil in 
preference to the Gospel of the Son of God. This 
is the way the old Serpent and his preachers destroy 
the children of men, and lead them on in blindness 
down to eternal death. As the uncautious dove is 
taken by the springing of the net, so are sinners 
caught by Satan, and many of them will remain 
with eyes blinded, until they are opened among 
devils and damned spirits in the flames of hell, 
•' Where the worm dieth not, and the fire is not 
quenched." To some, these may be hard sayings, 
but they are such as the word of God proclaims to 
man. 

If the Serpent's scheme of universal salvation be 
true, how inconsistent for Noah to warn the people 
of the impending storm that would soon burst on 
their devoted heads, when in that moment they 
perished their souls would receive " a far more ex- 
ceeding, and eternal weight of glory ?" And while 
they were basking in the full blaze of the Son of 
righteousness, Noah was left for many years to bear 
the burden of this life, losing for a season, at least, 
the unspeakable bliss of Heaven, which those vile 
transgressors, who had often railed on him and their 
God, were already enjoying. Righteous Lot must 
also have been exceedingly unwise, when he warn- 
ed the people of Sodom and Gomorrah to flee God's 
approaching vengeance, or to escape Avith his wife 
and two daughters from the city ; when in that mo- 



138 eice's orations. 

ment brimstone and fire should descend from cloudsi 
surcharged with death, the soul with the speed of 
thought would leave her clay building and soar to 
the abode of cherubim, to magnify forever in the' 
unspeakable bliss of Heaven. Thus we see the 
sooner the saint or sinner dies, the quicker his hap- 
piness is confirmed in all the glories of the upper 
world. 

According to the scheme of general salvation, no 
man has any reason to fear the change produced by 
death, but rather rejoice in it ; for it accelerates his 
eternal life. The most hostile murderer that treads 
the green earth, has reason to give thanks to God 
that he is more expert than other men in opening 
the door of Heaven to his victims, and thereby in- 
cur the penalty of the law to hasten his own salva- 
tion. The vilest champion that ever lived has done 
the greatest good ; because he has hastened the eter- 
nal happiness of millions, and shortened their earthly i 
sorrows, by producing their untimely death ; dried 
up the widow's and the orphan's tears, and made 
them rejoice that their relatives have speedily reach- 
,ed,the port of eternal rest. This is universalism in 
oits plainest terms ; the preaching of the Serpent, in- 
spired with the poison of hell. 

This system of the Devil encourages mankind to 
carry out the propensities of human nature, without 
any motive to restrain their career. The liar cajji 
deceive his fellow men by his falsehood, without 
any fear of a future judgment. The swearer can 
rail on his God by his impious blasphemy, with a 
heart of adamant, fearless of the justice due to his 
crimes. The debauchee can glory in his iniquity; 
yet have confidence in his future salvation. The 
robber that steals from his neighbor, has no remorse 
for his sins ; but, with a hope big with immortality^ 
climbs Jacob's ladder and scales the highlands of 
Heaven. The tale-bearer that scatters the seed of con- 
tention, and proves himself a foul whelp of sin, casts 



THE devil's preaching. 139 

his anchor within the vail, and feels his barque secure 
against the quicksands of death. The foulest being 
that lives on the footstool of God, guilty of murder, 
theft, and blasphemy, and every wicked act man can 
commit, may look with confidence on the blood of 
atonement, without repentance on the shores of time, 
and with unshaken hope call Jesus his Savior,, and 
Heaven his eternal home. But why this great sal- 
vation for such a list of unconverted sinners, because 
the old Serpent says there is no hell — " Ye shall not 
surely die ?" Such is the black scheme of the 
Devil to intrude on the premises of God and the 
rights of man ; such his cunning to deceive Adam's 
lost race, until the day of mercy is closed against 
them, and they made fast by chains of God's wrath 
in the prison of eternal death. Awake, O my soul ! 
and all that is within me, against the intrusion of 
Satan's kingdom upon the just claims of God on 
the human race. 

All preachers and believers in universal salvation, 
have built their house upon the sand. And if their 
hearts are as vile as their creed is false, they stand 
on the verge of an endless hell ; on which, if the^ 
remain until death shall sunder soul and body, th 
abode of lost angels will be their habitation forever. 
For the Judge shall ascend his throne, " And before 
Him all nations shall be gathered together ; and He 
shall separate them one from another, and put the 
goats on the left hand ;" then shall He say unto 
them, "Depart, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, pre- 
I pared for the Devil and his angels." 

If the principles advanced be founded on the Bible, 
ihow presumptuous for any man " to believe a lie that 
he might be damned." This life is the time for men 
I to awake from their lethargy and put on the gar- 
iments of truth and honesty, for " The night cometh, 
'when no man can work." 

These few hints of caution I publish to that part 
I of the human race who are yet on this side the river 



140 rice's orations. 

Jordan, in possession of probationary ground, that 
they may flee from the Devil's preaching while it is 
called to-day, before they plunge the second death, 
where the atonement by a Savior's blood shall never 
enter with the voice of pardon, but the bitter wail- 
ings of the second death be closed upon them for- 
ever. Then, my reader, it will be too late to obtain 
salvation, for the summer will be past, the harvest 
ended, and the immortal spirit damned. This is the 
truth of Heaven — the sure declaration of the word 
of God. 

We learn that the Devil's preaching of universal 
salvation is dangerous in the extreme ; that it is one 
of the greatest libels that ever intruded on the word 
of God or the souls of men. It is the master-piece 
of Satan's devices, and the greatest cunning he ever 
used for the final destruction of the human race. 
By this game of deception, the eyes of multitudes 
have been closed in darkness until their day of mer- 
cy was passed, and their glaring eyes opened for the 
first time on the flames of hell, to wail in agony " in 
the blackness of darkness forever." If men, by this 
false scheme, are so unwise as to lose their soulsj 
how great must be their loss — how great their lamen- 
tation ? At death their accounts will be sealed 
up for damnation, and for them there will be no 
reprieve. Too late they will cry out in the despair 
of their souls, "0, that I had been wise; that I 
had understood this ; that I had considered my lat-f 
ter end." 

My reader ! this may be the last oration I shall 
ever offer to my fellow-travellers through life's dreary 
pilgrimage. And if such it may prove, be assured 
of this one thing, in whatever I have published I 
have had an eye single for man's temporal and eter- 
nal welfare. It has been my intention to clear my 
skirts of the blood of all men. And whether the 
drunkard, warrior, slaveholder, or any other being 
who deviates from the requirements of Heaven, will 



THE devil's preaching. 141 

hear my admonitions or reject them, I have felt un- 
willing to enter the dreary sepulchre and sleep the 
long sleep of death, without leaving my last intel- 
lectual Will and Testament, sealed by the spirit of 
friendship for the happiness of my countrymen. 
My existence on earth is like the visionary dream, 
and will soon terminate forever. Ere long, I and 
my reader must stand before the great white throne, 
receive our final retribution, and inherit eternal life 
with the holy angels of Heaven or plunge the fires of 
endless damnation to wail with devils lost. Solemn 
realities ! laden with the momentous weight of im- 
mortal existence. 



THE AUTHOR'S FAITH. 



Article 1. I believe in one uncreated, omnipotent, 
and eternal God, the creator and preserver of all 
worlds, existing in three persons, Father, Son, and 
Holy Ghost. 

Article 2. That God created man holy, left him to 
the freedom of his own choice ; that he sinned 
against God, and brought death upon himself and 
all his posterity. 

Article 3. " That by the disobedience of one man, 
judgment passed upon all men unto condemna* 
tion ; even so by the righteousness of one, the free 
gift came upon all men unto justification of life.** 

Article 4. " That except a man be born again, he 
cannot enter into the kingdom of God ; for that 
which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which 
is born of the spirit is spirit." 

Article 5. That the Lord will reign on earth one 
thousand years ; at which time Satan shall be 
bound, and all mankind shall know the Lord from 
the least to the greatest. 

Article 6. That the earth shall be destroyed by fire, 
" And there shall be a new heaven and a new 
earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness." 

Article 7. That the Son of Man shall come in great 
power and glory to judge the world, and before 
Him all mankind shall be gathered together, and 
he shall separate the righteous from the wicked, 
and send the wicked into everlasting punishment, 
and receive the righteous into life eternal. 

Article 8. That the Lord has but one spiritual 
church on earth, composed of all those persons 
who have Christ in the soul the hope of glory. 




POETICAL INTRODUCTION. 



Go, richest boon my soul has power to give, 
On mercy's pinions through earth's regions fly; 

Tell the lost sinner he in Christ may live, 

And pluck the fruit of Lifers fair Tree on high. 

Direct the alien to his risen God ; 

Urge him to leave the road that leads to hell ! 
Tell him this day to flee his Father's rod ; 

To-morrow he may wail where demons dwell. 

Point the sad mourner to that living beam, 

That shines through Him who did for sin atone ; 

Inspire his soul by that all-healing stream, 

That gushes forth from God's immortal throne. 

Then shall the writer of this little book 
Rejoice to see his work by Jesus blest; 

To feel the virtue of that smiling look, 
Which bears the spirit to eternal rest. 

God of all grace, send thy rich blessings down, 
Cheer up the reader's and the writer's heart j 

May all the lost be wise to wear a crown 
Which thy free grace is waiting to impart. 

Then shall the glory to thy name be g^iven, 
For thou art worthy — thou alone canst save ; 

Thou art the true and living Way to Heaven, 
The only God that rescues from the grave. 



144 rice's poetry. 

GOD. 

0, Thou celestial King ! whose ample light 

Doth occupy all space, all motion guide ; 
Immutable through time's destroying flight ; 

The true and living God — there's none beside: 
King above all kings — the Omnific One, 

Whom saints and angels never can explore, 
Who spoke creation, and the work was done; 

This is our Father — we this God adore. 

Philosophy, in research most sublime, 

May weigh the ocean and describe the star, 
But no skill in prose, or the poet's rhyme, ^^ 

Surveys our plastic Monarch in his car. mM 

Mysterious God ! Reason's brightest spark, '■■' '* 

Kindled by light from Thee, in vain would try 
To know thy wisdom infinite and dark ; 

Or search the ways of thy eternity. ,'; 

God ! from non-existence thou didst call, 

First chaos — then all creation — from Thee 
Eternity took its boundless name — all 

Things created came from Thee — harmony, * 
Life, light, bliss, thou art the origin — thine 

All glory is, for thou doest yet create ; — 
Thy vivid rays inspire all space divine ; 

Thou God of light — sustaining Potentate. 

Thy arms the boundless universe surround ; 

Sustained by Thee — by thee inspired with breath.! 
Thou all creation in thy chains hast bound, 

And strangely sown the seeds of life and death.. 
As sparks ascending in the nitrous blaze ; 

So sun and moon were born — stars sprung from 
Thee ; ' 

And as those orbs extend their fulgent rays. 

Like floods of silver I thy glory see. .' 

Unnumbered worlds created by thy hand, , 

Wind their vast courses through the blue abyss, 



rice's poetky. 145 

Adore thy power, obey thy dread command, 
Teeming with life, and all complete with bliss. 

What are their names ? orbs of celestial light — 
A golden multitude of brilliant streams — 

Tapers of purest air — in lustre bright — 

Supernal suns with all their splendid beams. 

Just like a drop of water in the sea, 

In Thee, all this unequalled glory's lost ! 
What are the starry worlds compared to Thee ? 

And what am I with thy celestial host ? 
Though my immortal spirit be arrayed 

In all the rapture of angelic thought, 
' Tis but a speck when in thy balance weighed, 

Compared to Thee, is but a cypher brought. 

Yet I'm the essence of thy light divine. 

Thy brilliant worlds inspire my bosom too, 
And on my heart doth thy blest spirit shine. 

As shines the sun upon the morning dew. 
I live, and move, and on thy mercy fly, 

Thy matchless love unites my soul to Thee ; 
I ever feel thy quick'ning presence nigh, 

Which draws me on to thy Divinity. 

Thou art the sole Director of my heart ! 

O let my wand'ring spirit learn of Thee ; 
Thy boundless mercy to my soul impart ; 

Though but a speck in thy immensity ! 
Yet I must live, since fashioned by thy hand, 

And rank among the fallen sons of earth ! 
Short is my stay among this mortal band ; 

Soon I'll ascend Avhere angels have their birth. 

Infinite God ! thou did'st my soul create, 

And stamp in me a spark of endless life I 
'0, save my spirit from lost angels' fate ; 

Bear it above the woes of dying strife J 
Escort me on the pinions of strong faith 

O'er Jordan's waves, and help my spirit rise 
Above this rolling sphere, by truth which saith, 

"Believe in God," and mount the upper skies. 
10 



146 bice's poetrt. 

Of thoughts unspeakable my soul is blest ! 

Though feeble my perceptions, Lord, of Thee; 
Long shall thy fadeless glory fill my breast, 

And bear my homage to thy Deity. 
Father ! to Thee alone my thoughts can soar; 

Thou art my rock> my shield, and strong defence ; 
By thy vast v/orks thy wisdom I adore, 

And call Thee Father, God> Omnipotence. 



DESIRE OF THE SOUL. 

My God, by whose mercy I breathe, 

The centre of all I desire. 
Thou beholdest the bliss I conceive, 

And increases! my heavenly fije ; 
How pleasant the path thou hast strown 

With treasures of Heaven made free, 
Thy gifts of rich grace thcw hast sown, 

That I from destruction might flee. 

Enraptured I see thy display 

Of riches and glory divine ; 
Yet nothing I have to repaiy, 

But my heart to Thee I resign. 
Thy will is the wish of my soul. 

For thou art the life of my heart ; 
Thy truth let my spirit control,. 

Thy mercy salvation impart. 

My strength and my faculties fail ; 

blot out the sins that I love, 
And let not destruction prevail ; 

But waft me to glory above. 
Blest object of wonder and praise ! 

My Lord who is worthy but thee ? 
My soul on thy beauty shall gaze, 

And in thy blest kingdom be free. 

In raptures my spirit shall view 

God's love by the vision of thought, 



rice's poetry. 147 

On pinions of faith I'll pursue 

The treasures my Saviqr has bought ; 

Though lost in immensity's deep, 
I'll range the fair Eden of love, 

And in the straight path will I keep, 
To meet all the Christians above. 

And when on the transporting shore, 

I shall the blest company meet, 
My sighing and pain will be o'er, 

And I will the cherubim greet ! 
My eyes shall no longer distil 

The tears of affliction and pain ; 
My spirit shall climb Zion's hill, 

And with my Redeemer shall reign. 



SEEKING GOD EARLY. 

Come when the glory of thy years is brightest, 

Thou young sojourner in this lonely maze ; 
Come, when thy youthful heart is beating lightest. 

And God the Spirit sheds his purest rays ; 
Come, when thy thoughts the gems of life are holding, 

Which wake up glory in thy sinful breast ; 
Come, when the saving tide for thee is rolling, 

Drink of the fountain which secures thy rest. 

Soon will the vigor of thy youth be over. 

Thy days be past, thy spirit left forlorn ; 
Pleasure will lose her plume, and every lover 

Will to the region of the grave be borne ; 
Those who have blessed thee will have passed the 
river. 

Their hearts of friendship shall be lost to thee ; 
Then wilt thou need from the Almighty Giver, 

That balm which heals and sets the sinner free. 

Come, while thy youthful blood is freely flowing 
Ere thy vain dreams of fleeting fancy die ; 



.^ 



148 eice's poetry. 

Come, ere the spell mankind are round thee throwing, 
Fades like the sunbeam in the western sky. 

This life's a phantom, but the hope of glory- 
Lights up thy pathway with a cheerful ray ; 

0, touch the sceptre, and repeat the story, 
Jesus my Savior washed my stain away. 

Then will the sorrows of this brief existence 

Seem naught but bubbles to thy raptured soul ; 
Thy race is fleeting, short will be the distance, 

Until thy spirit hails its final goal. 
Land of the pilgrims ! where all Heaven is ringing, 

And spirits linger in unfading bliss ; 
Where ransomed minstrels are with angels singing. 

Who would not come and seek a land like this ? 



"I WILL NOT LET THEE GO." 

Begone my unbelieving fear ! 

And in my heart no more have place ; 
My Jesus to my soul appear, 

Display the triumphs of thy grace ; 
Dear Lord I cannot let thee go. 

And to the raging tempter yield, 
No, guarded by my Savior, no, 

I never will give up my shield. 

What if the vine no fruit shall yield, 

The olive branch produce no oil ? 
The fig tree wither in the field. 

The earth evade the farmer's toil ? 
What if the stall no herd afford, 

And all the bleating race shall die ? 
Yet will I claim the Gospel sword, 

And on faith's eagle pinions fly. 

What if my soul unfruitful be. 

And in my heart no grace appear ? 

No fruit for all my toil I see ? i 

But sin and naught but sin is here. ■ 



rice's poetry. 149 

What if God's love to me is gone, 
And left my smitten heart to bleed ? 

Yet Jesus will not leave forlorn 
My soul to die, but shall it feed. 

By faith I claim my Savior's love ! 

His love my stricken heart shall bless ; 
His quick'ning spirit from above, 

Shall robe me with his righteousness : 
To me his mercy shall be nigh : 

By faith I'll soon outride the gale, 
And soar to mansions far on high, 

Where Satan shall no more assail. 




ALL THINGS MORTAL. 

A rose-bud blossomed on her stem, 

The queen of Flora's rich domain, 
She wore her matchless diadem, 

Most graceful of the blooming train ; 
But eve Ciime on with freezing breath, 

And ere the morning light of day, 
Her glories by the blast of death, 

And vernal beauties passed away. 

Lo ! when the morning graced the sky, 
I saw the harmless virgin's love ; 



150 kick's poetky. 

Her charming voice with angels vie, 
Her passions harmless as the dove : 

But when the evening shades appear'd 
I saw her visage pale as clay ; 

In hasty flight she disappeared, 
And all her glory passed away. 

I saw the giant's lofty form, 

Like some strong tower where tempests blow. 
That hraves the raging of the storm, 

And firm retains its base below. 
Again I looked with piercing eye, 

His mighty strength had lost its sway; 
He told me he must shortly die — 

And soon by death was borne away. 

I looked, and lo ! with deep surprise, 

This earth had no enduring grace ; 
Nothing to make man's spirit wise, 

No power to save the fallen race. 
I asked the grave, and it replied. 

Mankind must to my sceptre fall ; 
All ancient ages groaned and died, 

The curse of God has passed on all. 



THE FINAL WRECK OF WORLDS. 

Awake, my soul, to future prospects ! 

Sing creation's dismal groan. 
Final scene foretold by prophets, 

Scene that makes all nature mourn : 
! what wailing, what confusion, 

Will the sinner's heart inspire ; 
What dismay, distress and sorrow, 

Reign when worlds dissolve in fire. 

Forked lightning, dismal thunder, 
' Thwart the gloom in awful glare, 

Nature to her centre trembling. 
Makes affrigfhted sinners stare. 



RICE S POETRY. 151 

Tow'ring rocks and crumbling mountains, 
On their firm foundations quake ; 

Worlds on worlds heave to their centre, 
And their final groans partake. 

Oceans deep in dread commotion, 

Rage about their frightful shores ; 
Frantic winds in awful fury, 

Round each crumbling fabric roars. 
King of day is cloth'd in sackcloth, 

In deep mourning stands afright, 
Silver moon has lost her glory. 

Orbs on orbs are dress'd in night. 

Brilliant stars in lustre shining. 

Twinkling on the nightly robe, 
From their orbits hurl'd expiring, 

Each a dark and ruin'd globe. 
Lo ! the final trump is sounding, 

Sunders wide the azure sky. 
Direful wrath of God resounding. 

Countless worlds in mourning die. 



MISSIONARY HYMN, 

Come, my friends, and gather round me. 

All your ofT'rings freely bring, 
Pledge yourselves when waves surround me, 

You will pray to Christ, your King ; 
And when o'er the deep blue waters 

I shall preach a Savior's love, 
Pray that I and China's daughters 

May be harmless as the dove. 

Christ has said of ev'ry nation, 
Where the wave of sin doth roll, 

I will spread my great salvation, * 

To set free the deathless soul; 

China's gates are now expanded, 
Let us go and take the field, 



152 rice's poetrt. 

Strongest chains will be disbanded, 
And the works of darkness yield. 

What though kindred ties are broken, 

And the bitter tear must fall, 
When the " well done " Master's token, 

I'll with joy each scene recall ; 
I will fear not, God will save me. 

He will guide me o'er the deep. 
His all-cheering grace he'll give me. 

And my soul from danger keep. 



WASHINGTON'S FUNERAL DIRGE. 

" Our Hero's dead, a doleful sound," 

Deep gloom enshrouds the fun'ral hall ; 
Dark waves of sorrow beat around. 

And tears of grief in mourning fall ; 
Our Union bleeds from ev'ry vein ; 

Her Patriot lives on earth no more, 
Our Chieftain cruel death has slain, 

And left him sleeping in his gore. 

He led our armies in the field, 

And made the hostile Britons quail ; 
God's favor was his giant shield. 

For by his strength he did prevail: 
He broke oppression's iron rod. 

And said " My people shall be free ;" 
And by the plastic arm of God, 

He raised the flag of liberty. 

By wisdom deep the British yoke 

He drove from our auspicious land ; 
All foreign chains by him were broke 

As he led forth the infant band ; 
The genius of his matchless skill 

Oft saved his men from Avounds and death ; 
They were obedient to his will, 

Extolled him with their latest breath. 



rice's poetry. 153 

The Man who did his country save 

From threatened bondage and despair, 
Lies cold and silent in the grave, 

Which long shall hold its victim there : 
His fame shall live, though he's no more. 

While wheels of time shall roll around ; 
His name shall spread from shore to shore, 

With lasting honors shall be crowned. 

Mount Vernon is his resting place, 

The winds are howling o'er his tomb, 
A monument his ashes grace, 

As he partakes our common doom. 
America, dry up your tears ; 

God will your land in mercy save ; 
Abandon all your doubts and fears, 

And live for him ye pious brave. 

Our Hero, from the climes above 

Looks down to see our country rise ; 
And with a soul endowed with love 

Beholds our well-begotten prize. 
Father ! we hail thee in that land, 

Where thou art ever with the free. 
To mingle with the blood-bought band 

Who wear the crowns of Calvary. 



THE COLPORTEUR'S MESSAGE. 

Go, Messenger of Jesus, 

O'er waters, hill and dale, 
And spread the name that pleases 

By ev'ry gentle gale ; 
On faith's all-cheering pinion 

Help on the joyful sound, 
■ Till Christ shall have dominion, 

And Satan shall be bound. 

Salvation, O Salvation, 
Bear to the sinner's ear, 



154 rice's poetry. 

'Till ev'ry land and nation 

The joyful news shall hear: 
Go to the friends of Satan, 

Invite the hearts that grieve, 
Go to the heavy laden, 

Their mourning souls relieve. 
In all the haunts of pleasure, 

Where sordid joys are found, 
Unfold the richest treasure, 

Which for their souls abound ; 
Direct them to the Savior, 

Who hung upon the tree, 
That they might live forever 

And crowns of glory see. 

Endow'd with Gospel treasures, 

Go to the drunkard's home, 
Unfold to him the pleasures 

Of Christians yet to come ; 
Invite him to the Savior, 

Tell him there yet is room 
To leave his bad behavior, 

And shun the drunkard's doom. 
Go to the raging swearer. 

Who thus offends his Lord, 
Tell him you are the bearer 

Of God's most precious word; 
Pray him to furl his banner, 

So deeply stain'd with blood, 
And in an humble manner. 

Leave all his sins for God. 
Go to the guilty robber, 

Who for the love of gold 
Denied his Lord and Master, 

And by it lost his soul ; 
Tell him by deep repentance 

Salvation is combin'd, 
Though he has had his sentence, 

Reprieve he yet may find. 



eice's poetry. 155 

Go, preach to all transgressors, 

The murd'rer and the thief, 
To all the vile oppressors, 

The Gospel sends relief; 
By sighs and deep repentance, 

Through faith in Jesus' name, 
The soul may yet have entrance, 

And live through mercy's claim. 

But if the Gospel treasure. 

The sinner will refuse, 
And in his ways take pleasure, 

The word of God abuse ; 
When death shall end the conflict, 

He down to hell must go, 
And there remain a convict 

To reap eternal woe. 



THE CHRISTIAN'S HOPE OF HEAVEN. 

Now let this mortal body fail, 

Now let it faint away and die, 
Yet my blest soul shall quit this vale 

And live in shining worlds on high; 
Will join the disembodied throng. 

And find through grace eternal rest. 
And sing with saints that glorious song 

Redemption with the angels blest. 

In Hope of that celestial crown 

I do my Savior's cross sustain. 
And as I wander up and down 

With patience bear my grief and pain — 
I'll suflfer on my few short hours, 

'Till my sustaining Jesus come 
And take away my grief and fears. 

And waft me to my spirit home. 

What hath my Savior bought for me ? 
Before my starlit ravished eyes 



156 rice's poetry. 

A fount of life divine I see, 
And living trees of Paradise. 

I see a cloud of spirits there 

All clothed in robes of spotless white ; 

They stars of living vic'try wear, 

And crowns of Heaven-born lustre bright. 

What then are my short suff 'rings here. 

If Jesus count my spirit meet 
With that angelic host appear, 

And fall before his shining feet ? 
Give sorrows here, give joy or pain, 

Take dearest friends and life away, 
But let me find those friends again 

In climes of God's eternal day. 



THE FINAL JUDGMENT. 

Lo ! the Son of God appearing, 

Angels wait his voice to hear ; 
Clothed in power, is now descending, 

Horror strikes the sinner's ear : 
On the full-arched golden rainbow 

Christ exalted sits on high. 
Thousands of his flaming warriors 

Bear his mission as they fly. 

*' Go," saith Jesus, " go my heralds, 

Bring my children from afar — 
Those who in me found redemption, 

Bring them to the Morning Star." 
Soon a band of warriors mounted 

On swift wings do skim the skies. 
From the throne of God descended, 

Gather'd home the ransom'd prize. 

Rais'd from graves, poor sinners tremble, 

At the final trumpet's sound, 
Gazing on with consternation, 

Wailing at the scene profound — 



rice's poetry. 157 

Fill'd with fear and deepest anguish, 

Cry for rocks them to destroy, 
Mournful tears — they sigh and languish. 

Wail the loss of endless joy. 

" Come, ye sinners, come to judgment : 

Word of God now draw thy sword ! 
Wicked world begin to wonder, 

Tremble at the awful word ! 
Go, ye curs'd, and drink my vengeance, 

Sink in gloomy pits of fire. 
You who did reject my mercy, 

Go partake my flaming ire." 

Down they sink in burning sulphur, 

Banish'd from the Savior's rest, 
Where the soul's undying horror. 

Ceaseless beats in ev'ry breast, 
There the sinner raves in darkness, 

Where the deathless fires shall roll^ 
There the devils do surround him, 

And torment his dying soul. 




THE FARMER'S CONSOLATION. 

I saw the Farmer at his plough. 

As I was passing by ; 
And wearied was his toiling frame. 

Beneath the burning sky ; 



158 rice's poetry. 

I thought his slavish lot was hard, 

And thanks I gave to God, 
That I was not like him confined, 

In scorching suns to plod. 

I see him now with harvest decked, 

When garden, tree and field. 
Impart their flowing stores to fill 

His barns with what they yield. 
His children sprightly as the lark, 

At his command rejoice ; 
They all obey in needful toil 

Their father's friendly voice. 

The dog his master's joy partakes, 

And guards the loaded grain; 
The feathered poultry on the wing 

Call forth their joyful train. 
Perchance the husband's wife draws nigh, 

The ample scene surveys, 
And calls on God with grateful tears 

To guide their evening praise. ^j 

The harvest giver they adore, ^» 

Creator of the soil ; 
Who made this earth to give them bread, 

And bless their daily toil. 
Behold them on a winter's day, 

With ample table spread ; 
And you may see the Farmer blest 

With raiment, meat, and bread. 

Such are the gifts that God bestows 

On those who till the ground, 
That they for food shall never beg, 

While fields of grain abound. 
The Farmer has his loss and pain ; 

But less by far than they, 
Who in the truant's footsteps run. 

To pass their time away. 



bice's poetry. 159 



ADORATION AND PRAYER. 

" Thou Great First Cause, least understood," 

Who did all worlds create, 
And with thy voice pronounc'd them good,. 

When in their finish'd state. 
No human skill can e'er survey 

The wonders of thy grace ; 
Unnumbered worlds do Thee obey. 

And all the heav'nly race. 

Man, from the dust thou did'st create^ 

Made him a living soul ; 
From paradise he plunged in fate. 

By Satan's sad control. 
The starry worlds pronounce Thee good^ 

And all creation round ; 
From thee we have our daily food. 

All other gifts abound. 

Though man has wander'd from his God^ 

Yet streams of mercy flow ; 
'Twere just if man should feel his rod. 

And God no mercy show. 
" Father of all ! in ev'ry age," 

While through this world I stray. 
May wisdom all my powers engage,- 

'Till I am call'd away. 

And as I pass through life's short day, 

What'er my fate may be ; 
O, may I not forget to pray, 

And look by faith to Thee. 
And when my journey here shall end, 

And I am called to die ; 
Let some«kind friend from Heaven descend 

To take me up on high. 

There I shall meet the chosen few, 
Who fear'd their Father's rod ; 



160 rice's poetry. 

Who did in Avisdom's path pursue, 
Which led them home to God : 

Join with the bright angelic band, 
On golden harps to sing ; 

And range fair Canaan's happy land, 
Where heav'nly arches ring. 



THE CHRISTIAN MARTYR. 

Strong was the dungeon's dreary wall, 

Hard was the marble floor ; 
Her iron bolts, and chains, and bars, 

Made fast her pond'rous door : 
No cheering light e'er shone within 

The Martyr's dreary cell ; 
But loathsome reptiles oft were known 

To with the captive dwell. 

No carpet and no curtain there, 

To cheer the dismal scene. 
Except that which a spider wove 

About the mildew green : 
There, bound in chains of deepest gloom. 

The pris'ner dwelt alone ; — 
His tiresome bed a heap of straw, 

Laid on a chilly stone. 

But scanty was his portioned food 

Of water and of bread ; | 

And tattered were the clothes he wore, I 

And sore his aching head : 
His grief-worn sorrows who can tell. 

That has not felt his doom ; 
The king of day has never shone 

To cheer his living tomb. 

In midnight gloom the angels know 

His prayer to God arose, 
" Save from the woes of endless night 

My most destructive foes : 



rice's poetry. 161 

" Open their eyes that they may see 

This innocence of mine, 
And glorify thy worthy name 

While on the shores of time. 

" I ask Thee not to pluck this thorn ; 

But give me living faith, 
To honor thy Almighty name, 

In prison and in death." 
That living faith to him was given, 

While burning at the stake ; 
For on his brow shone light from Heaven, 

When in God's name he spake. 



PROOF OF GOD'S EXISTENCE. 

To prove a God all nature speaks ; 

Through earth and air his works we see ; 
From threat'ning clouds his lightning streaks, 

His morning sun makes darkness flee. 
The king of day in lustre bright 

All o'er the world's revolving frame, 
Declares by his efllilgent light 

The glory of his Maker's name. 

Diffusing life to all around. 

With ample feasts the world o'erspread ; 
The fields are by his blessing crowned. 

And herbage rises from the dead. 
For man and beast abundant food 

All o'er the earth in mercy grows 
And when they pant in thirsty mood. 

They drink the stream that gently flows. 

The flow'ry tribes in all their train. 
Which far excel the power of art ; 

And birds with their exalted strain. 
Bear true conviction to the heart. 

The mind of man that roves abroad 

Through scenes of earth and worlds above, 
11 



KICE S POETKY. 

Surveys the footsteps of his Lord, 
And feels the presence of his love. 

The shining orbs that run their rounds, 

And with their lustre deck the sky ; 
The Gospel which in grace abounds 

With revelation from on high ; 
The thunder with terrific roar, 

And show'rs that from the clouds descend, 
Confirm a God ! — we ask no more : — 

His vast existence has no end. 




A 



THE FLOWERS OF THE FIELD. 

The verdant flowers are blooming, 

In ample troops appear, 
Their golden buds are breaking 

On landscapes far and near; — • 
The meads and gardens waving 

With these rich gems of God, 
Cheer up the soul that 's mourning 

Under affliction's rod. 

These star-lit flow'rs are bending 

By ev'ry gentle breeze ; 
O'er earth's broad circle smiling;— 

The feast of toiling bees ; 
From sun-lit waving oceans, 

Lake, vale, and mountain sod, 



RICE S POETRY. 163 

These gems in all their beauty- 
Display the works of God. 

They come with full-orbed glory 

In summer's genial rays, 
And on earth's dreary surface 

Console man's eager gaze ; 
They fill each heart with wonder;— 

King Solomon outshine, 
From all the sweets of nature 

Rich odors they combine. 

If God on Flowers is shining, 

And gives them ev'ry hue ; 
How much more bless the faithful, 

That in his truth pursue ? 
Sweet gems immortal waving, 

Shall grace the ransomed soul 
Of ev'ry saint in Heaven, 

While streams of mercy roll. 

Thou Son of God !— Redeemer ! 
Who did the lily grace, 

Thy word of pow'r has quickened 
Queen Flora*s blooming race j 

Yet they are frail and fleeting, 
Each year they pass away, 

But thy unfading glory- 
Shall live when Flow'rs decay. 



THE POWER OF THE GOSPEL 

The Lord exalted on his throne, 

His universal work surveys ; 
He marks those pilgrims for his own, 

That love to walk in all his ways : 
His eye rejoices to behold 

His children bear his easy yoke ; 
To see them by his love unfold 

The bread of life their Savior broke. 



kick's poetry. 

His saints their Master's voice obey, 

They toil and sweat his truth to spread; 
In midnight shades they often pray, 

And tears of grief di.-<til their bed : 
His holy love their hearts constrain, 

And wipes away their fallen tears; 
They labor hard the field to gain. 

And rise above their toil and fears. 

Jesus beholds them with delight, 

Confirms to them a golden crown ; 
Nor does one hour their comfort blight, 

But sends his promised blessing down. 
The burning zeal, — the Spirit's powers 

From God's eternal altar fall. 
And fill the saints with gracious showers 

That on the name of Jesus call. 

Dear Lord in haste thy leaven spread, 

Let Gospel seed through earth abound; 
Let rftercy's trumpet wake the dead, 

' Till all the lost by grace are found : 
Then shall the world from death made free 

Feel God's renewing grace within, 
And in his holy temple be 

Exulting o'er the curse of sin. 



THE MOTHER'S TWIN SISTERS. 

"When Cynthia's light bedecked the sky. 

Two sisters near each other prest ; 
Their infant hands too weak to vie, 

Were folded on each other's breast : 
From morning's light till evening's tinge, 

In lovely innocence they lie ; 
Their rosy lids, with graceful fringe. 

In beauty gem each sparkling eye. 

There's not in India's coral strand, 
Or on this universal ball 



rice's poetry. 165 

A lovelier pair in heart and hand, 
On which the eyes of friendship fall. 

My God. thou hast a fountain moved, 
Which must in waves eternal roll; 

For thy creative power has proved 
Each sister has a deathless soul. 

These pleasing and mysterious things, 

These seeming angels sent from Heaven, 
These sisters with immortal wings 

To me, O God, thy love has given ! 
Their feeble pulse first caught its stroke, 

Their blood its sanguine hue from me ; 
These little ones I did invoke 

Must live when time shall cease to be. 

A silent awe inspires my breast, 

My heart is full of hope and fear; 
My soul on awful themes is prest, 

Death and eternity appear ! 
Despair and hope in tumult rise ; — 

Oh God ! I raise my prayer to thee ! 
" Give to my babes that Paradise, 

Which makes the dying spirit free." 



" LORD REMEMBER ME." 

My Lord ! to thee my grief is known ; 

Tempted Thou wert on earth like me ; 
Expel my woes, for thou alone 

Didst bear my sins on Calvary ! 
Remember that expiring cry ! 

Those tears of grief, and bloody sweat. 
When on the mountain Thou didst die, 

And with thy blood the garden wet. 

Ah ! why didst thou such wrath endure ? 

Why bear the cursings of the tree ? — 
By death alone Thou couldst procure 

That grace which sets my spirit free. 



166 rice's poetry. 

Lord ! thou art touched with human woe ! 

Thy mercy moves the heart of man ; 
Dries up the mourner's tears that flow, 

And saves him by salvation's plan. 

My waiting spirit long has known, 

That Thou art faithful, just and true; — 
Angels and saints thy judgments own, 

And in thy perfect path pursue : 
The bruised reed Thou wilt not break, 

Nor quench the spark of grace begun, 
Till Thou the heart of sin shalt shake, 

And teach it hell's deep gulf to shun. 

I know the day of feeble things 

Thy gracious eye will not despise; 
For thy rich Gospel's balmy wings 

Has brought salvation from the skies ! 
On thy sustaining arm I rest, 

And feel thy spirit's power within ; 
By thy subduing grace possessed, 

I rise above the curse of sin. 



THE LABORER'S LAMENTATION. 

Bound in this house for moulding clay. 

No hill or dale the sight to cheer. 
My heart desires to be away, 

And for the distant woodland steer; 
Where warbling brooks by day and night 

In all their gushing beauty sing, 
And blooming flowers on zephyr's flight 

To me their fragrant odors bring. 

There nature has no square or line. 
But all things show the stamp of God, 

From poplar to the lofty pine, 

And ev'ry plant that decks the sod : 

The glorious orb of light above 
Imparts his rays to kiss the flower, 



rice's poetry. 167 

And darts upon our world with love, 
Which, hails the glory of his power. 

The passing breeze that greets me now 

Is scented by some fragrant field, 
And cheering fans my weary brow. 

Which braves my spirit not to yield : 
Those brilliant lamps that grace the sky 

With midnight glory gaze on me ; 
And move my stricken heart to sigh 

For scenes long passed in infancy. 

At eve, when sweat and toil have wrought 

From penury a short reprieve, 
My weary heart by God is taught 

For my condition not to grieve ; 
And yet 'tis hard for man to feel 

His life in want to pass away, 
While thousands live in all the weal 

That earthly treasures can convey. 

But soon these scenes of life shall end, 

And all my labors be forgot ; 
My soul angelic raptures blend 

And share salvation's better lot ; 
Shall mingle with those gems of light 

Where tears and sorrows will be o'er, 
And bask with angels in their flight 

When earth's vain glory is no more. 



MAN'S LIFE PASSETH AWAY. 

As I was musing on the strand. 
With finger shooting from my hand, 
I wrote upon the ocean's sand 

My name, year, month and day. 
Ere long the well-known spot I passed, 
A piercing look I fondly cast ; 
The crested wave was rolling fast 

And washed my lines away. 



168 bice's poetry. 

Such is the type of ev'ry man ; 
His days on earth are but a span ; 
He 's stricken with a mortal ban, 

By waves of time must die. 
Where'er he treads the sandy shore, 
He soon will see his track no more ; 
His works — the year — the name he bore, 

Will soon forgotten lie. 

But still I see a mighty hand. 

Which holds the waters — counts the sand, 

By which my weary soul may stand 

When time shall be no more. 
Though this clay building shall be rent, 
And scenes of time be quickly spent ; 
Through faith in God I am content 

To stand on Zion's shore. 



TO THE DRUNKARD'S MEMORY. 

John Foster at the dawn of day 

Was at the grog-shop door, 
With bloated face and sunken eyes, 

And tattered clothes he wore. 
His starving boy Avas by his side, 

And crying to him said, 
" Come, father, my dear mother 's sick, 

And Mary cries for bread." 

With trembling limbs he staggered in 

Before the bar once more. 
And with the poison vender pled 

As he had done before. 
The landlord hears his sad request, 

And gives to him the bowl ; 
He drinks — while wife and children weep, 

To damn his ruined soul. 

Five years expired — when I passed by 
A crowd stood round the door ; — > 



rice's poetry. 

Short was my stay before I heard 

John Foster was no more. 
I saw liis corpse when borne away ; — 

No wife and children there ; 
For they had left their mortal clay 

And ev'ry earthly eare. 

Drunkards ! reflect before you plunge 

The fires of God's decree ; 
For you must loose eternal life 

Except the bowl you flee. 
Reflect for wife and children's sake ; — 

Fly from your murd'rer, fly ; 
Or you like John will wretched live, 

Like him forsaken die. 



THE TEMPERANCE FLAG. 

All o'er our wide spread nation 

The Temp'rance Flag doth rise, 
While tears of lamentation 

Fast leave the mourners' eyes ; 
This Star in lustre shining 

Shall drive our gloom away, 
Though hell's dark ranks combining 

Fight hard to win the day. 

Vast armies now assemble 

To face their deadly foe, 
They make old Bacchus tremble 

"While they their darts do throw ; 
Soon the cold4l«rater Banner 

Shall float from shore to shore, 
And in a loathsome manner 

The Drunkard reel no more. 

What if the Lord of glory 

Shed mercy all around, 
And nations tell the story 

That they by him are crowned ; 



170 rice's poetry. 

In vain with lavish kindness 
Do all these blessings flow. 

While Drunkards in their blindness 
To shame and ruin go. 

Shall we whose souls are lighted 

By virtue from on high, 
Withhold from those now blighted 

That boon which they deny ? 
No ! our tongues inspired, unceasing 

Exemption shall proclaim, 
' Till ev'ry heart that 's beating 

Shall flee the Drunkard's shame. 

Waft on ye gentle breezes, 

And swift ye waters roll, 
Until this Star that pleases 

Shall shine from pole to pole ; 
' Till Drunkards' chains shall sunder, 

Their liberty regain, 
And ev'ry nation wonder 

To see the Temp'rance reign. 



REGENERATION. 

Fearless I trod the downv/ard road. 

And spurned the Gospel's joyful day; 
Unconscious of my pond'rous load, 

When on the brink of hell I lay: 
But now I think of life, and death, 

The judgment, and the gaping grave; 
And feel if I should yieldi^my breath, 

I have no grace my soul to save. 

I gaze upon the stream of time, 
Those hours of mirth forever fled ; 

And must confess no skill in rhyme. 
Can tell the tears that I have shed ! 

I see the book of record kept, 
My God's eternal truth revealed ; 



rice's poetry. 171 

For which my dying Savior wept, 

When he with blood my pardon sealed. 

My heart in grief, oppressed with sin, 

Seeks refuge in the bloody cross ; 
And strives through grace a crown to win, 

Which frees the soul from all its dross : 
My fainting heart falls at his feet. 

Who has the bloody winepress trod, 
To gain in Him a life complete, 

Which rescues from his Father's rod. 

I see the piercing crown he wore ; 

I feel the guilt that made him smart : 
From all his wounds his blood did pour, 

To bring salvation to my 'heart : 
I see that look of holy love, 

When on the shameful cross he died, 
To bear my soul to worlds above. 

Where I shall meet the sanctified. 

I see Him on the cursed tree, 

There welt'ring in his purple gore ; 
' Twas then he spilt his blood for me ; 

Which blood shall stain the cross no more; 
In Joseph's grave I see Him sleep ; 

Three days he felt the tyrant's chain ; 
Entombed where Mary came to weep ; — 

But lo ! the Savior lives again. 

I see Him in his rapid car, 

Ascending his eternal throne ; 
And calling nations from afar, 

To put their trust in Him alone. 
I see before his Father spread. 

His bleeding feet, his hands and side; 
His resurrection from the dead. 

His truth extending far and wide. 

My God in mercy hears mj' cry, 
And bears my load of sin away ; 



172 rice's poetry. 

Through Him who on the cross did die, 
I feel the glorious light of day : 

I'm bound to gain the Holy Lamb, 
Though I the ills of life endure ; 

By faith upon the Rock I stand, 
And know my anchor cast secure. 

I claim my Jesus for my all, 

And find a full release from sin ; 
His grace restores me from the fall, 

And makes my heart rejoice within: 
And when I shall this dust lay down, 

My soul shall take its upward flight ; 
And wear a never-fading crown, 

With all the shininsr sons of ligfht. 



DEATH. 

Where'er I am, where'er I go, 

The works of death I see ; 
He makes his final overthrow, 

Not one his power can flee. 
Mankind by sin in Adam die. 

The curse falls on his race ; 
The shafts of Death triumphant fly, 

And kill in. ev'ry place. 

The king from his exalted throne, 

Sinks down in shades of night ; 
The sons of men lament and groan,- 

By death are put to flight. 
No arm so strong as to withstand, 

This mighty tyrant's power ; 
Unnumbered millions o'er the land, 

Must die in life's short hour. 

Diseases spread in ev'ry form. 
Their victims chain by death; 

And leave surviving friends forlorn, 
Yet to resign their breath. 



rice's poetry. 173 

The low and tall, and flowers all 

Are soon to pass awaj' ; 
There ne'er was built so strong a wall, 

But death would have his prey. 

Though beauty grace the comely face, 

As roses white and fair ; 
A dying fall will spoil the grace, 

For Death shall triumph there. 
The earth and planets by old age. 

Shall crazy grow and die ; 
The great philosopher and sage, 

And all the birds shall fly. 

PRAYER FOR RESTORING GRACE. 

Lord, let my walk be close with thee, 

Calm and serene my frame ; 
That I may from all sin be free 

Through thy reviving name. 
Where is the bliss I once enjoyed, 

When first my Lord I knew ? 
Where is the grace that sin destroyed, 

When I to Jesus flew ? 

Those hours of peace I then received, 

Their memory still is sweet ; 
But now I find my soul has grieved 

The spirit from its seat. 
Return to me, thou heavenly Dove, 

Sweet Messenger return ; 
I hate the sin that quenched thy love, 

Which made my spirit burn. 
The greatest idol I revere. 

Whatever it may be, 
let me turn away and steer 

My course direct to Thee : 
Then I shall walk by God's command 

Through life's besetting way ; 
Receive those blessings from his hand 

That crown with endless day. 



174 bice's poetry. 



RESURRECTION AND JUDGMENT. 

Day of Judgment, day of wonders ! 

What alarming scenes appear? 
Now the trumpet's mighty thunders 

Speak the Resurrection near: 
At the sound the dead are rising 

From the shrines in which they sleep ; 
Bursting forth a scene surprising 

Breaks the fountains of the deep. 

Earth's strong pillars bow and tremble 

At the voice of God that flew ; 
Saints arise, their Lord resemble, 

Who has found the vict'ry through. 
All mankind since Adam sleeping, 

At the trump shall now revive ; 
Sinners rise in sorrows weeping, 

And in vain for Heaven strive. 

Now the Atheists see the fiction. 

Which they once proclaimed to man ; 
But have lost God's benediction, 

Sanctioned by the Gospel plan. 
Boast no longer grisly tyrant. 

Now thy chains have burst away ; 
And the dead are raised in triumph, 

Saints are hailed to endless day. 



CHRIST'S INVITATION TO SINNERS. 

Hail ! Thou worthy Master Jesus, 

Hail, Thou matchless King of kings; 
By thy blood Thou did'st redeem us, 

Thou did'st free salvation bring ; 
In the courts where angels glory, 

Thou did'st lay aside thy crown ; 
Come to earth to tell the story, 

"I for man redemption found." 



rice's poetry. 175 

" Sinners, come to me in welcome, 

Come the Gospel feast partake, 
Turn to me by deep repentance, 

AH your wickedness forsake ; 
Shun the way of sin and folly, 

By the purple tide be free. 
Look to me and be ye holy. 

And my glory you shall see. 

" For your sins I trod the winepress, 

Bore the wrath to sinners due, 
Drop one tear before you trespass 

On those rights so dear to you; 
For your souls I in the garden 

Agonized in sweat and blood, 
That in me ye might find pardon^ 

And with angels live with God. 

" Sinners turn while I am calling, 

Now there 's mercy kept in store j 
Wheels of time are fast revolving. 

Soon your life will be no more ; 
Bliss of angels calls you sinners, 

Can you spurn the gift of Heaven ? 
Choose the prize, by faith you '11 win her 

Through the blood your Savior/s given." 



MOURNING PILGRIMS. 

Mourning Pilgrims weep no longer; 

Christ to you has comfort spoken, 
Your weak spirits shall be stronger ; — 
" Bruised reeds he ne'er has broken :" 
Ye who wander through this vale 
Where the shafts of death assail ; 
Ye who are \fy sin distressed 
Seek the Savior and be blest. 

Lambs of Jesus cease to slumber; 
Lo the crimsoned banner 's flying : 



176 rice's poetry. 

If you are the chosen number, 

Let your hearts no more be sighing ; 
Greater love no man has known 
Than on Calv'ry has been shown ; 
Jesus' dying groans and pain 
Make you meet with him to reign. 

Mourning Pilgrims weep no longer ; 

Mercy's boon is ever shining, 
It can make the spirit stronger ; 
Why then always be repining: 

Jesus drives your gloom away, 
Fills you with celestial day : — 
Falling tears and broken sighs 
Is his chosen sacrifice. 

Soon these mountain waves of sorrow 

Will be from the weeper driven, 
And all fears of ills to-morrow 
Shall be lost for joys of Heaven ! 

There no sighs the heart shall rend, 
There no pain and sin shall blend ; 
There the saint from death made free 
Shall his Savior's glory see. 



SAINTS AROUND THE THRONE. 

Who are these arrayed in white. 

Brighter than the morning sun ? 
Blazing round the Throne of light, 

Crying " Lord thy will be done ?" 
These are they that faced the foe, 

For the truth of Jesus bled ; 
Bore the cross that they might go 

Where the Martyr's spirit fled. 

These from tribtilation came, 

Washed their robes in Jesus' blood ; 

For the crown endured the shame 

When they braved deep Jordan's flood. 



rice's poetry. 177 

Now they fall before the Throne, 
Serve their Maker night and day; 

Worship Him who did atone, 
And for them did often pray. 

They were once a suff'ring band 

When they dwelt in mortal clay ; 
Now they wing the spirit land 

Where all tears are wiped away. 
They shall thirst and faint no more, 

No excessive rays shall shine ; 
Bread of life is kept in store ; 

Take it Christian, it is thine. 

Jesus sits upon his Throne, 

And surveys his chosen flock; 
Saying, " Worship me alone ; 

You are built upon this Rock, 
Pluck the fruit of Life's fair tree, 

Drink the streams that never dry ; 
Ever in my presence be, 

Ever with my angels fly." 



THE MAGNETIC TELEGRAPH. 

Angels of God, now lend your aid. 

While we describe the pow'rs of art, 
This modern star, which we have made, 

In haste our notice to impart : 
In speed its flight excels the blaze. 

That rends in twain the vaulted skies; 
And makes us all with pleasure gaze, 

To see from man such wonders rise. 

We hail this all important gem. 

This Telegraph from shore to shore ; 

Which crowns us with a diadem, 

Till wheels of time shall roll no more. 

The flight of thought can scarce excel 
This messenger in all his speed ; — 
12 



RICE S POETRY. 

In distant lands our foes may dwell, 
And in a trice our acts can read. 

Should dying man draw nigh the tomb, 

And wish his far off friends to tell, 
With light'ning speed they hear his doom, 

And find the place where he doth dwell. 
If notice of vast moment rise, 

And should in haste be borne along ; 
In the same instant, will surprise 

America's inventive throng. 

If in such speed on earth shall fly 

The wishes of each longing heart. 
Sooner shall pray'r ascend on high. 

And God his saving grace impart ! 
As quick as thought the angels sung, 

" Glory to God," at Jesus' birth ! 
Then Heav'n's new Telegraph was strung, 

Which brought salvation down to earth. 

The golden wires of grace divine. 

Sealed by the blood of Calvary, | 

Can make the lost with angels shine. 

And God's eternal glory see. 
Lo, when the last loud trump shall sound. 

And Telegraph earth's common grave; 
Then shall the saints in God be found, 

And feel his mighty pow'r to save. 

The soul and body joined in one, 

Shall on the chord of faith ascend ; 
And know the will of God is done 

Through Jesus, their eternal Friend ! 
The Telegraph confirmed by grace. 

Shall run through all the courts above • 
Shall bear the stamp of Jesus' face, 

And tell the wonders of his love. 



rice's poetry. 179 

"WHAT IS MAN?" 
Man is a strangfe mysterious thing ! 

The workmanship of curious art : 
Composed of muscle, nerve and spring, 

And blood, fast gushing through his heart. 
In him is ample proof of God ; 

No other hand could mould his frame : 
Jehovah's all creating nod, 

Through man declares his holy name. 

First he was fashioned out of clay ; 

His sinless heart was moved by love : 
From God partook the purest ray, 

With passions harmless as the dove. 
Behold he was ! but is he now 

Made free from sorrow, grief and pain? 
Alas ! I read upon his brow 

That seal, by which we all are slain. 

For sin we 're bound to mourn and weep, 

While passing through this thorny vale, 
Till death shall stamp with dreamless sleep 

Our barques, — so often made to quail. 
In man was formed a living soul, 

Which shall survive earth's final grave: — 
If saved bj' grace, it shall control 

Those demons, where lost spirits rave. 

Ah! must this soul sink in despair, 

And spurn the brightest gem of Heaven ? 
Must it with fallen demons share. 

And lose the Holy Spirit's leaven ? 
Though bound by hell's eternal chain, 

I see by blood Man's spirit rise ! 
Made sure of Heav'n's triumphant reign, 

She through God's holy mansion flies, 

Man's soul is like an angel's wing, 
It rushes on from star to star ! 



180 rice's poetry. 

Thence soars to courts where cherubs sing. 

And ever rides in Zion's car ! 
Her knowledge shall through Jesus grow : 

From saint she shall an angel he ! 
Those streams that through all Heaven flow, 

Make her approach the Deity. 



THE SPIRIT'S ASCENSION. 

Give thanks unto Jesus on high, 

A brother has entered his rest ; 
Has gone up with angels to vie, 

And lean on Immanuel's breast. 
His spirit in rapture has fled, 

To swell the high anthems above ; 
Has gone to the Savior that bled, 

And dwells in the arms of his love. 

What fullness of glory divine 

He feels through the life giving blood ? 
What riches ineftable shine, 

Made free by the mercy of God ? 
Arrayed in the garments of light, 

And decked with the pinions of grace, 
He wings in the speed of his flight 

With all the bright angelic race. 

The Savior there sits on his throne. 

And spreads his effulgence around, 
He who for our sins did atone. 

The legions of Heaven surround. 
Then why should our spirits bewail, 

And longer in solitude weep. 
When grace is so free to prevail. 

And mercy forbidden to sleep. 

No sorrows our brother inspire 

In his mortal prison of clay ; 
His soul breathes the angelic fire, 

And basks in the glories of day. 



rice's poetry. 181 

Dear Savior if thou art our shield 
While passing- the regions of time j 

O help us thy mercy to wield, 
And soar to the angelic clime. 

And when we from time shall remove, 

And wind up our sorrows and pain ; 
Thy unsullied glory we '11 prove, 

And in thy blest Zion remain : 
We '11 join with the spirits of light, 

And view the new city of gold. 
Where beauty shall dazzle our sight 

With riches no pen can unfold. 



RETROSPECTION. 

When my reflection takes its flight 

To view the past and gone, 
The fun'ral pall disturbs my sight, 

My spirit weeps forlorn. 
Our parents first in Eden free, 

No vengeance on them fell, 
' Till they partook the fatal tree, 

And sought the dregs of heU. 

The indignation of our God 

Expelled the fallen twain ; 
They felt the justice of his rod. 

For they by sin were slain. 
The curse pursues the fallen race 

Down to the present day ; 
Man's sinful acts his life disgrace, 

And lead his soul astray. 

He feels the ills of dying strife, 

His day is but a span ; 
He soon must lose his mortal life, 

" So frail a thing is man." 
In ancient days God did appear 

By his destructive flood, 



rice's poetry. 

And swept away all but the Seer, 
And those that with him stood. 

The infidel and scoffers all 

Which did in Sodom dwell, 
God's vengeance called on them to fall 

In brimstone charged by hell. 
Proud Nineveh, that city great, 

Enclosed by walls of might, 
Repented and prolonged her fate j — 

Now sinks in shades of night. 

Jerusalem that holy place 

Where priests and prophets died ; 
Though once for God, became a race 

That Jesus crucified. 
God's judgment on that city fell, 

Their overthrow was sure ; — 
The carnage made no pen can tell, 

No weeping eye endure. 

The Romans with the sword and spear 

Caused blood their streets to flow ; 
The dying shriek — the falling tear 

Increased the scene of woe. 
Of Jews about one million bled, — 

The slaughter was severe ; 
Their streets were crimsoned with the dead, 

While thousands shook with fear. 

Since Christ his presence made on earth, 

And hostile Jews were slain, 
War and sedition found their birth 

The truth of God to stain. 
The church of Rome in sin arrayed 

Imbued her hands in blood ; 
From Gospel precepts long has strayed. 

And spread sins raging flood. 

Millions have by her hands been slain, 
All harmless as the dove ; 



rice's poetry. 183 

Have felt the rack and bore the chain, 

Yet saved by Jesus' love. 
She has shown herself the monster sin, 

In deepest treason dyed ; 
And proved she had no grace w^ithin 

By Jesus crucified. 



THE JUDGMENT DAY. 

The glorious Judge in heaven appears. 

In all the grandeur of a God ; 
Our days, our weeks, our months and years, 

Are numbered as before the flood ! 
Behold he comes ! the sun is veiled ! 

The silver moon is turned to blood ! 
The Son of God has man assailed, — 

He feels the scourges of his rod. 

The trumpet sounds ! the world 's on fire ! 

And mountains melt before his face ! 
All nature feels his flaming ire, 

And mourns because she 's run her race ! 
The wheels of time must now stand still, 

Their revolutions are no more ; 
They must obey their Maker's will, 

And in death's silence, him adore. 

Ye saints rejoice ! lift up your heads ! 

Your Savior comes in clouds of heaven ; 
Arise from your long sleeping beds, 

Let honor to his name be given ! 
Sinners awake ! the day has come ! 

The long predicted Judgment Day ! 
When saints of God are gathered home, 

And sinners driven far away. 

Down, down you '11 sink in endless night, 
To dwell in groans and deep despair ! 

And never more behold the light, 
And never find a Savior there ! 



184 rice's poetry. 

The boon of Heaven ye once refused, 
When Jesus wooed you to his arms ;— 

He will no longer be abused ; — 

Too long you 've spurned his gracious charms. 

The demon's wail, and spirit's groan 

Forever strike your deathless ear ! 
Your souls must in their dungeon mourn, 

Where men and devils quake with fear ! 
Night's dreary curtain veils your grave, 

Hell's deepest gloom assembles there t 
No blood of Jesus will you save ! 

No angels news of mercy bear. 

But God's dear children soar on high. 

And walk the golden streets above ; 
No more to weep, to mourn and die, 

But ever feel a Savior's love : 
" Glory," they sing through Jesus' name, 

*' To God, the source of all their joy ;" 
From mountain tops they loud proclaim, 

" His name our praises shall employ." 



JESUS WEPT OVER JERUSALEM. 

Jesus from angel's courts above, 

Came down to visit man ; 
His heart was full of tender love, 

In streams of mercy ran : 
In friendship he came to his own, 

But they received him not ; 
They cursed Him who did sin atone, 

And all his love forgot. 

Behold, He o'er the city weeps ! 

His tears the Jews would save ! 
His tender heart salvation keeps. 

To rescue from the grave. 
" City of God t Jerusalem ! 

I would have made you free j 



rice's poetry. ! 

Would give to you that healing gem, 
"Which makes the blind to see. 

" But when I called, ye turned away ! 

Left me to shed my tears ; 
Shut from your eyes that only ray, 

Which drives away all fears : 
Your day of grace shall be no more ; 

You griev'd the Father's Son; 
Salvation now with you is o'er ; 

Your race is almost run. 

" Romans shall your vast city burn, 

Your fun'ral dirge shall sing ! 
Your foes shall live your names to spurn. 

And sorrows to you bring : 
Before this generation pass, 

The sword your blood shall spill ! 
I offered mercy, but alas ! 

You hate Mount Zion still." 



THE SAINT'S VICTORY. 

Rejoice, for a spirit has fled, 

And left this clay prison behind : 
No longer to weep for the dead ; 

No longer in sorrows confined. 
By faith let us follow her flight 

To mansions of glory above, 
And view her with angels of light, 

Rejoice in the Eden of love. 

"We hail thee on Zion's bright shore, 

Where all the ship's company meet ! 
Thy sighing and pain are no more ; 

They fell as the dust of thy feet. 
No portion of sickness or fear 

Shall ever disturb thee again. 
Like us who are striving to steer 

Through regions of sorrow and pain. 



186 rice's poetry. 

Thou 'st left thy companion behind, 

To linger in death's gloomy sleep, 
'Till God the lost angel shall bind, 

And soothe the sad mourners that weep. 
And when the last trumpet shall sound, 

And shake the deep shrines of the dead, 
Then shall thy lost body be found. 

And join with the spirit that 's fled. 
When thy sleeping dust shall arise 

To meet thee around the white throne, 
And see the vast host of the skies, 

Where Jesus is worshiped alone ! 
Then shall thy full glory begin 

By treasures in Heaven made free; 
No more shalt thou weep for thy sin, 

No longer in misery be. 

The soul and the body in one, 

Made free from all pain and despair ; 
Shall bask in the light of the Son, 

In all his full glory to share : 
As long as the Savior shall reign. 

Will through God's Jerusalem fly ; 
And with the bright angels obtain 

That fountain which never shall dry. 

"GOD IS LOVE." 

Farewell vain world ! thou hast no joys 
Worthy to claim my fond embrace ; 

Thy riches are but fleeting toys 

Compared with God's enduring grace; 
Then let me drink of Love's rich tide, 
And find a cleft in Jesus' side. 

What if my feeble mind complain. 
And dread so long with sin to vie ; 

I '11 rise above my mortal pain, 

And on Love's shining pinions fly; 

And when my flesh and heart shall fail, 

I shall in Christ my Lord prevail. 



rice's poetry. 187 

Come Thou immortal spirit near, 

And save my soul from self despair ; 

Appear, in my poor heart appear, 
And listen to my urgent prayer ; 

Speak, " Peace be still," celestial Dove, 

And let me know thy name is Love. 

All hail this Love ! sweet Jesus hail ! 

Thy whispers cheer my drooping heart; 
Thy light breaks in, Thou dost prevail, 

Thou dost to me thy Love impart j 
Thou hast descended from above. 
And proved to me thy name is Love. 

My God, be near when I shall pass 
The waves of Jordan's rolling tide; 

Bear me above the sea of glass. 
On golden pinions let me ride. 

Until I meet my Lord on high, 

Where streams of Love shall never dry. 

And when I find that happy place, 
Where raptured visions fire the soul ; 

Then I shall sing of thy free grace. 

And on the waves of glory roll ; ? 

Shall honor Him who reigns on high, 

Where saints and angels never die. 

There grace shall flow in living streams, 
Fast gushing from the throne of God ; 

Like quiv'ring silver's richest beams, 
Shall quench the law's destructive rod ; 

Eternity shall swell with Love, 

By all the sacred hosts above. 

There golden gems shall cheer the soul 
Throughout the shining courts of Heaven; 

The crystal waves of glory roll, 

From Love's rich fountain shall be given ; 

The weary saint be free from pain, 

And with his Lord in glory reign. 



188 rice's poetry. 

THE CRUCIFIED 

Jerusalem ! Jerusalem ! 
Why gushes forth that crimsoned stream ? 
The Jewish priest, the Gentile band, 
The Romans from their foreign land ; 
And thousands more with envious will, 
Behold the scene of Calvary's hill. 

Yet onward moves the savage tide, 
The beggar, bridegroom, and the bride, 
Prince, soldier, and the Pharisee ; 
The youth and sire, the bond and free ; 
The wicked, raging, hellish clan. 
Cry " Crucify the Son of Man." 

But woe to thee, Jerusalem ! 
Thy foes triumphant soon shall come. 
Shall slay the bridegroom and the bride. 
And on the car of death shall ride ! 
And woe to thee ambition's shrine ; 
The sword shall slay both thee and thine. 

The multitude still loudly cry, 
• With raging voices rend the sky; — 

Urged by the assassin's cruel rod. 
In meekness moves the Son of Godj 
A cross upon his shoulders borne : 
His back with bloody scourges torn. 

Behold the man ! the cry of shame 
Is raging at the Savior's name ; — 
With garments rent, and gnashing teeth, 
The sneer, the spite, the thorny wreath, 
All the expiring hour can bring. 
Surround thee now, immortal King. 

The word of death in haste is given; 
The Victim bound, the spikes are driven ;— 
Now rail the Scribe and Pharisee, 
The Gentile bends his mocking knee ; 



RICE'S POETRY. 189 

The cross is reared the word is done, 
The battle fought, the vict'ry won. 

While in his agonizing gloom 
His piercing eye foretells no doom ; 
No earthquake breaks — no thunders roll 
To smite with death the guilty soul! 
Those lips in dying anguish riven, 
Cry " Let my murd'rers be forgiven." 

Awake, my soul ! behold Him die ! 
He groans between the earth and sky ; 
Enters the grave, and bursts her chains, 
And in triumphant glory reigns ; 
Destroys the monster's dying strife, 
And brings to man eternal life. 

He dies ! creation's awful King, 
That man may his redemption sing; 
He dies ! to thunder from the skies, 
And bid unnumbered millions rise ; — 
His footstool, earth — his throne is Heaven ! 
All honor to his name be given. 

THE PROMONTORY OF LIFE. 

While on a verging point of land, 
I view the regions as I stand. 

Where saints and sinners dwell ! 
This mortal life, a moment's space. 
Prepares me for yon heavenly place, 

Or binds me fast in hell. 

O, God of love convert my soul, 
And all my inward powers control, 

To run the Christian race. 
Help me to feel the solemn weight 
Of things divine before too late. 

By thy subduing grace. 

Before my soul in dread array. 
Impress the scenes of that great day, 



190 rice's poetry. 

When Christ my Lord shall come, 
Descending- in his rapid car, 
To judge all nations at his bar, 

And call his servants home. 

let it be my business here 
To serve my God with holy fear, 

And to the end endure. 
Lord thy reviving grace impart, 
And bind to thee my wand'ring heart. 

And make the prize secure. 



THE LAST SUPPER. 

Darksome and dreary was the night. 
On which the little flock assembled, 

And watched with fear the morning light, 
And for the coming morrow trembled j 

The day in which their Lord should see 

Expiring on the cursed tree. 

The Master there with lifted eye 

Took up the sacred bread and brake it ; 

He raised the cup and gave a sigh, 

Then bade his weeping brethren take it j 

" As often as this cup you see, 

With grateful hearts remember me." 

Lord did'st thou say, " Remember me ?" 
Yes- — here is love the sun outshining ! 

Sooner the stars shall cease to be, 
And all the elements combining. 

Than my fond heart forget to swell 

The glories of Immanuel. 

Shall we thy houseless nights forget, 
The dew-drops on thy temples lying 1 

The scoff — the spear — the crimsoned sweat. 
The long dread agony of dying? 

This love of God, boundless and free, 

Gives life to all eternity. 



rice's poetry. 191 

And is our Savior's table decked, 

With dainties of his own preparing ? 

And shall our souls such bliss reject, 
As holy angels now are sharing? 

We come, — King Jesus, — hear our prayer, 

And bless our weeping spirits there. 



SALVATION BY THE CROSS. 

Mercy divine ! what hast thou done ! 

Jesus my Savior died for me ! 
The father's co-eternal Son, 

For sin expired upon the tree ! 
The King of kings for all has died, 
Jesus our Lord was crucified. 

You that pass by, behold the man ! 

The bleeding Jesus, Prince of peace ! 
Mortals adore your Maker's plan, 

That he your spirits may release ; 
Come feel his sacred blood applied, 
Jesus our Lord was crucified. 

Was crucified for all our race. 

That he might bring us back to Godj 
Believe in Him, and his free grace 

Will save us from his scourging rod ; 
A fountain gushes from his side, 
Jesus our Lord was crucified. 

Then let us learn to view the Cross, 
And live by its all cleansing stream ; 

All things for Jesus count but loss, 
And in his glorious presence beam ; 

And nothing worship here beside 

Jesus our Lord the Crucified. 

And when these buildings made of dust 

Shall to their prior dust return ; 
Our souls committed to God's trust, 



19? rice's poetry. 

Shall in his holy presence bum ; 
Shall on the sea of glory ride 
By virtue of the Crucified. 



APPEAL FOR MISSIONS. 

Servants of God, possessed of shining gold, 
Go and contribute for your brother's need ; 

Shall love within your thrilling breasts grow cold. 
Where Gospel faith has sown its holy seed ? 

How can you to the Gentile world refuse 

To spread that light which you in wisdom choose ? 

Servants of God, endowed with heavenly bread. 
Shall mortals languish in your blissful path ? 

O, let your hearts with rich compassion spread 
That gift which saves from God's eternal wrath ; 

The heathen world remain in shades of night, 
Lend, lend your aid before they take their flight. 

Ye have the bread and cup the Lord did bless 
While in the presence of his chosen train ; 

Ye have the word of God, with high bequest, 
"Go teach all nations," spread its heavenly strain, 

Throughout the world let the rich Gospel be 

Disseminated, till mankind are free, 

Do you, indeed, on life's tempestuous shore, 
Bear the meek spirit of the Son of God ? 

Yet lend no aid, no supplication pour, 

To save mankind from the Almighty's rod ? 

God of the Pilgrims ! warm the frozen heart, 

And let thy children needful gifts impart. 

Behold the heathen sinking in the grave, 
Amid the darkness of a foreign land ; 

O'er the vast depths of ocean's dismal wave, 
Your brethren call ; how can you idly stand ? 

Rich price of blood ! Servants of God, arise ! 

Shake off your dust, and labor for the skies. 



rice's poetry. 193 

Lo ! the poor Gentiles wait God's word to hear, 
And Missionaries wish his truth to tell; 

The funds are not — the ship delays to steer 
Across the ocean, Gospel news to swell. 

Faith comes by hearing — hearing by the word ; 

How then have faith on Him they have not heard ? 



DESTRUCTION BY TIME. 

Moved by a Monarch's awful power, 
That hastens on each fleeting hour, 

I touch the mournful string ; 
' Tis now I see his wrinkled face, 
Under the mansion's crumbling base, 

Where moss and ivy cling. 

Night roll'd his darksome eye around, 
His grisly face with horror frowned ; 

No lustre him arrayed ; 
He seized, and lo ! a hero's bust, 
Returned unto its native dust, 

Sunk deep beneath the shade. 

Disease triumphant clothed his eyes. 
To helpless mortals, lo, he cries, 

" How vain are all your schemes ? 
Under my chains the brightest form 
Sinks and dissolves beneath the storm- 
How vain are mortal dreams ?" 

" The works of nature's God I spoil ; 
The lofty arts of human toil, 

I blast as infant toys ; 
I trample down the mighty brave, 
Beauty I blight — low in the grave 

I bury earthly joys." 

Stop, thou Destroyer, stop ! I cried, 
Nor longer crush the dreams of pride, 
And man's vain hopes devour ; 
13 



194 eice's poetet. 

Virtue shall live in endless bloom, 

Beyond the darkness of the tomb, 

And scorn thy ruthless power. 

In frantic rage the Demon fled, 
Soaring, as down the wall he sped, 

" The year is past and gone ;" 
The falling spire, the mould 'ring tower. 
Trembling fell before his power^ 

While Time in haste flew on. 

Since youth and fame to Time must bow, 
And death destroy the fairest brow, 

Let endless light be yours ; 
Man's deathless soul embalm'd in truth, 
Shall live in all the bloom of youth, 

As long as God endures. 



THE MILLENNIUM. 

When shall death prevail no more ? 

When shall pain and sin be o'er ? 
Adam's race no longer groan. 
Friends no more be call'd to moura? 

Sorrow cease from, ev'ry mind, 

Ransom'd love the spirit find ? 

When shall future joys appear, 

Christ erect his glory here ? 

Satan's kingdom tumble down, 
Mercy's voice be spread around ? 

Altars rais'd in ev'ry heart. 

Sweet perfumes to God impart ? 

Oft shall dying groans assail ! 
Oft shall relatives bewail ! 

Dearest friends be sunder'd wide. 

Sorrow sail upon the tide. 
Ere the works of death decay. 
Ere the great Millennial day. 



i 



rice's poetry. ills 

Years of sorrow speed along, 
Hasten on the blissful song, 
Let the tide of beauty roll, 
Cheer the heart — awake the soul- 
Then the glorious sound shall fly- 
Through the world, and reach the sky. 



JORDAN'S COLD STREAM. 

Cold Jordan's stream with rapid tide, 
This world, and future Avorlds divide, 

Where spirits dwell. 
Its chilly waters drear and deep. 
With frantic furj^'s awful sweep 

In madness swell. 

I saw the smiling infant stand 

Where Jordan's waves beat on the strand, 

To sweep it down. 
Thoughtless of death it neared the flood, 
Which froze the current of its blood. 

To wear a crown. 

I looked, and lo, with languid eye, 
A youth was called to weep and sigh; 

The grave was near ! 
He gazed upon the frightful stream, 
The waves rolled high — he gave a scream, 

And sunk with fear ! 

Again, a form of giant strength 
Heedless rushed on, 'till found at length 

To feel his chain. 
Hopeless he raised his dying prayer. 
Then closed his eyes in wild despair 

By Jordan's reign. 

Next, stood upon the dismal shore 
A father, bowed with many a score 
Of gone- by years. 



196'' rice's poetry. 

Earth-bound, he sadly left the brink 
Of time, in Jordan's waves to sink, 
Laden with fears. 

How bitter must Death's waters taste ! 
How hard a thing for man to waste 

Away and die ! 
To leave his wealth and glory here, 
Be forced o'er Jordan's waves to steer, 

Where spirit's sigh ! 

I gazed upon the stream again, 
I saw the friend of God was slain j 

Yet lives above ! 
Death is the end of all his toil ! 
By it he gains a heavenly soil 

Through Jesus' love. 

Strong pinions bore his spirit up, 
While flesh partook the bitter cup, 

And wailed in Death. 
With anchor cast within the vail, 
He spread his banner to the gale, 

And gave his breath. 

No more he '11 stand upon the shore, 
And feel the waves of Death roll o'er 

Him to destroy ! 
His ransomed soul shall dwell on high, 
And through God's holy mansions fly. 

Inspired with joy. 



THE SCENES OF CALVARY. 

Awake my soul to that dread day. 
And strike thy harp in mournful lay, 

To view Mount Calvary. 
A Man of grief, a Man of prayer, 
Was forced by Jews his cross to bear, 

And die upon the tree. 



bice's poetby. Iji9 

Behold the scene ! the mid-day light 
By miracle was put to flight. — 

Gloom did enshroud the earth ! 
The Temple's veil was rent in twain 
When the meek Son of God was slain 

To give salvation birth. 

For three long hours the Savior hung;— 
The harps of gold became unstrung ; 

And angels stood affright ! 
The hosts above could sympathize 
With Him who left the upper skies ; 

But man his God could fight ! 

Methinks I hear the Victim cry, 
When hung between the earth and sky, 

" 'Tis done ! the crown is given." 
He bowed his head — gave up the Ghost ! 
Then quickly moved the upper host 

To spread the ne\vs through Heaven. 

Angels now strike their harps of gold, 
And God's free gift to man unfold 

Throughout the courts of light ! 
Nor can they keep this boon on high ; 
But down with speedy pinions fly, 

That man may view the sight. 

Lo ! the Redeemer sleeps in death ! 

On Calv'ry's mount resigned his breath J 

Yet he a God remains. 
Behold, he rises from the tomb ! 
He stamps upon the grave her doom, 

And bursts the tyrant's chains. 



CONVULSIONS OF NATURE. 

Lo ! in deep portentous gloom. 

Clouds of wrath the heavens spread, 
Dark as if man's final doom 



4 

4 



rice's poetry. 

Broke upon his guilty head : 
Now the dreadful lightnings fly ! 
Grod in wrath is drawing nigh ! 

Hark ! I hear the chariot wheels 

Rumbling down the vaulted skies ;— 

Nature, troubled nature reels, 

And puts forth her plaintive cries j— 

Earth and ocean quake with fear ! 

Tremble ! for your God is near ! 

God of wrath enthroned above, 
While thy thunder bolts are hurled 

Save us ! for thy name is Love, 
Save a lost and ruined world ! 

Let thy burning ire be stayed 

By the bow of promise made. 

The storm is hushed, — silence reigns, 
Ocean billoyv^s cease to rise ; 

Winds no longer sweep the plains. 
Lightnings cease to rend the skies I 

King of nature drops his rod ! 

Mercy is the will of God. 



JESUS' LOVE STRONGER THAN DEATH. 

Ye sons of God behold your King 
While in Gethsemane he prayed, 

' Twas there he shed his blood to bring 
Salvation from the gaping grave ; 

His deep-toned wail, his piercing cries, 

Invoked an angel from the skies. 

' Twas midnight when He felt the load, 
Which would have crushed a world to hell 

At that dark hour his mercy flowed, 
That you might with his angels dwell : 

Remember all his groans and tears, 

And rise above your guilty fears. 



rice's poetry, Iflll 

Draw near and view the Judgment hall, 
Where hostile Jews the Savior led ; 

He drank the wormwood and the gall, 
And by the crown his temples bled : 

He bore the cross up Calvary 

To set the dying spirit free. 

Behold, he lies upon his bed, 

While sp-ikes are driven through his feet ! 
He dies to save the wicked dead, 

And bless them at the Judgment seat : 
The mid-day sun his light Avithdrew 
When God the SaWor bled for you. 

dome hasten to the marble tomb. 

And view the place where Jesus lay ; 

Learn by his death your mortal doom, 
And ever live to watch and pray : 

He rose triumphant o'er the grave. 

And reigns above, the soul to save, 

Lo, the Redeemer prays for man. 
At God's right hand I hear him cry, 

" save from Satan's cruel ban 

The lost, for which thy Son did die !'' 

For Adam's fallen, ruined race 

He pleads before his Father's face. 



NOAH'S DOVE. 

Behold the floating ark, 
Ploughing the waters dark, ^ 

The earth around ; 
There was no mountain seen, 
No tree, nor evergreen ; — 

All flesh was drowned, 

Then o'er the billows dread 
A Dove's soft wings were spread. 
The land to view ; 



i 



rice's poetry. 

But on that shoreless tide, 
No tow'ring mount she spied, 
When swift she flew. 

She to the ark returned, 
And by it Noah learned 

The waters raged ; 
He took her in to rest, 
All weary and distressed, — 

Her grief assuaged. 

So man the ark has left, 
And of his peace bereft, — 

Exposed to hell ! 
Yet he may now return, 
And by salvation learn 

With God to dwell. 



CHRIST'S RESURRECTION. 

God our Redeemer rose, 

In triumph left the dead. 
High o'er his mortal foes 

Raised his exulting head : 
In wild dismay the guard were shook, 

And to the earth like dead men fell. 

Angelic bands appear. 

Around his grave they meet ; 
In hast to Him draw near, 

And worship at his feet ; 
They come with joy from worlds on high, 

And wing their way to Jesus' tomb. 

Then home to Heaven they fly, 

The glorious news to bear ! 
As they ascend the sky. 

Sweet anthems fill the air ! 
"Jesus who bled," they loudly sing, 

" In spite of death, this day arose*'* 



RICE S POETRY. 20t 

Let man, redeemed from hell, 

Proclaim the joyful sound ! 
To ev'ry nation tell, 

Salvation may be found ! 
In mercy cry, " The Lord, though dead, 

Has burst the tomb, no more to die." 

All hail, triumphant King, 

Who died our souls to save ! 
Let all creation sing. 

Thy vic'try o'er the grave : 
Thou risen God, with thee we '11 rise ! 

And empires gain beyond the tomb. 



THE ORGANIZATION OF WORLDS. 

E're God the universe begun, 

In one rude chaos matter lay, 
And wild disorder overrun. 

Nor knew of light one glim'ring ray; 
While darkness spread throughout the whole, 
Confusion reigned without control. 

Then God arose, his thunder hurled, 

And bade the elements arise ; 
In air he hung the pendant world. 

And o'er it spread the azure skies; 
Orbs in their circles caused to run, 
And in the centre fixed the Sun. 

Then man he called forth out of dust. 
And formed him with a living soul ; 

All things committed to his trust. 
And made him ruler of the whole; 

He proved ungrateful unto Heaven, — 

A rebel was from Eden driven. 

From thence proceeded all our woes, 

Nor could mankind expel their fear, 
Until Christ's amity arose, 



202 rice's poetry* 

And formed another Eden here* 
' Tis only on rehgious ground 
Pleasure with innocence is found. 

' Tis here the purest fountain flows ; 

Here nought corrupt can enter in ; 
' Tis here the tree of Knowledge grows, 

Whose fruit we taste, exempt from sin. 
In sacred friendship we abound, 
While God's dear Spirit hovers round. 



" IT IS WELL."— 2 Kings iv, 26. 

"Is it well with the child?" And she answered, 
"'Tis well;" 

As I looked on the weeper that cried ; I 

And the fast falling tear, as it run from its cell^ ' 

Proved she loved her fond son who had died. 

I beheld, and the child's living features had fled : 
For death had inspired him with gloom ; 

And the wearisome watchers had just left the dead, 
And made ready to meet round his tomb. 

" Is it well with the child ?" And she answered, 
" ' Tis well ;" 

Yet she thought of his beauty and grace, 
When his juvenile bosom with laughter did swell, 

In his mother's consoling embrace. 

Through his darkly tinged eyebrows, when waking 
from sleep. 
His bright lamps in their sockets did roll ; 
Which constrained the sad mourner in silence to 
weep. 
And display the strong grief of her soul. 

*' Is it well with the child ?" And she answered, 
" ' Tis well ;" 
For his sorrows and pain are all o'er :— 



rice's poetry. 203 

Of the sigh> and the groan, and deep pang he might 

tell; 
^ But they shall never trouble him more. 

In the visions of night, he appears by my side, 

In the garment of angels above ; 
And I hear his glad song, as he wings far and wide, 

In the cherubic mansions of love. 

" Is it well with the child ?" And she answered, 
" ' Tis well ;" 

For with saints he shall pluck of life's tree; 
By the boon of salvation with God he shall dwell, 

And with him be eternally free. 

Now his heart-thrilling bosom no longer shall beat, 
With the throbs of affliction and pain ; 

Nor shall he, in his glory such foes ever meet, 
As he met when on earth he was slain. 



SPIRITUAL WORSHIP. 

How beautiful Lord, must thy Temple have been 

At the time of its first consecration. 
While the cherubim's wings wide spreading within, 

Gave grace to the ark's holy station. « 

When the priests of Levi thy chosen well skilled 

To minister before the blest altar. 
Had withdrawn from the cloud the Temple had 
filled, 

Lo Israel adored with the psalter. 

Sublime was thy glory and majesty then. 

Yet the favor the Gospel discloses, 
More clearly extends thy salvation to men, 

And exceeds the ritual of Moses. 

But by whom were these rites of Heaven repealed, 
Save by Jesus from whom they were given ; — 

Free pardon for sin by his death he revealed, 
And the bars of the grave he has riven. 



299k rice's poetry. 

His truth and redemption now show us the way 

To ascend on wings of his glory; 
Not like the vain shadows of that early day, 

But by the free grace of his story. 

This is the true worship the Savior made known 
When at Jacob's deep well he was talking ; — 

The truth of his kingdom in lustre was shown, 
To the maid with her water-pot walking. 

All things become new, and old things pass away 
In the Gospel's complete dispensation ; 

And darkness recedes by the splendor of day 
Through the spirit of God's dedication. 

Then let us arise over sin and despair, 
And pursue the bright Star ever shining ; 

And of the vain systems of error beware. 
Lest we fall by their darkness combining. 

Our Redeemer on high, with grace ever nigh. 
Has prepared the bright way by his favor, 

And songsters below soon with angels shall vie, 
To extol the adorable Savior. 

Then let us take courage and press on the way, 
TiU our sorrows and pain shall be ended ; 

And our souls mount up to the regions of day, 
And our anthems with seraphs be blended. 



THE STAR OF BETHLEHEM. 

Behold the bright morn when Jesus the Savior, 
From realms of glory in mercy came down ; 

Go sinners and worship your Lord in a manger, 
Angels from heaven his birth-place do crown. 

The morning dew-drops his cradle are gilding, 
He takes his abode where oxen have trod ; 

Seraphs adore him, Christ's kingdom is building, 
This is our Monarch, our Savior and God. 



rice's poetry. 205 

With songs of angels the skies are resounding, 
They sing the blest anthem, " Good will to all 
men !" 

The shepherds astonished, yet faith is abounding, 
They follow the Star where angels have been. 

While gazing, they see their Lord in a manger, 
Where wise men offer their incense divine ; 

They fall and adore this heavenly stranger. 
Who news of salvation brought to mankind. 

Ye friends of this Savior, spread his appearing. 
This is the bright Star from eternity shone ; 

His name to sinners shall ever be cheering, 
While as Mediator he sits on his throne. 

"Brightest and best of the sons of the morning. 
Shine on our darkness and lend us thine aid ; 

Star in the East the horizon adorning, 

Guide where our infant Redeemer was laid." 



COME TO THE WATERS. 

Rejoice ye prisoners, in that life immortal. 

Which flows spontaneous from the Word of God ! 

See Zion's wall expands her golden portal, 
To save the sinner from the direful rod ! 

Come to the Waters ! ye whose hearts are gushing 
With youthful action, uninspired with pain ; 

Whose tide of life in sanguine streams is rushing 
Like springs of water through the youthful vein. 

Ho all ye thirsty ! come to Zion's river. 

Where life is stamped with God's unerring truth ! 
Turn from earth's follies, hail the bounteous Giver, 

And drink the fountain of eternal youth ! 

Come to the Waters ! ye whose heads are hoary. 
Sages and sires, whose lives will soon be o'er. 

Rise from your slumber, seek your ransomed glory, 
Drink of the river and you '11 thirst no more. 



206 rice's poetry. 

Children of sorrow ! drest in sable mourning, 

Whose hearts are beating with their aching throes, 

Come when the balm of life dispels your groaning, 
Cheers up your spirits and expels your woes. 

Come to the Waters ! hail the crystal fountain 
Which gushes from the living throne of God ! 

All cheering stream ! it flows from Zion's mountain. 
Surpassing that which followed Moses' rod. 

Come to the Waters ! ye whose lives are dreary, 
Whose earthly charms are passing fast away j 

Cast off your burden ! never more be weary. 
Forsake your sins and shout eternal day ! 

Come all the world and drink the living Waters, 
Slaves of the South, and Indians of the West, 

Monarchs and beggars, parents, sons and daughters, 
Bathe in the fountain which secures your rest. 

This ample spring can never be exhausted ; 

Millions have drank, and yet may millions more ! 
Come precious souls this day you are accosted. 

Search for this treasure while it 's kept in stoie. 



THE FAVOR OF GOD. 

God's Favor I see, when to Jesus I flee. 

And lay up my treasures on high ; 
No chains can control, the rich joys of my soul, 

When I on love's pinions do fly. 

Sweet comfort is mine, when God's mercy divine, 
I find through the Lamb that was slain ; 

My heart it believes, and free pardon receives, 
Which frees it from sin's killing stain. 

' Tis an Eden below, my Savior to know. 

And seraphs can do nothing more. 
Than bow at his feet, and his mercy repeat, 

And the Friend of sinners adore. 



rice's poetry. 207 

Now all the day long, free salvation 's my song, 

From regions of darkness and pain; 
Jesus loves me I know, I will with him go, 

To mansions in glory to reigrv. 

On pinions of love, I will soar far above 

This world of destruction and sin, 
And light on the shore, where diseases no more 

Shall burden my spirit within. 

With songsters above, now enchanted with love, 

I have faith in glory to meet. 
And with the bright band, who on Zion do stand, 

My Lord and Redeemer will greet. 

There springs ever flow, and rich waters bestow, 

To cheer the bright angels on high ! 
While saints shall mount higher, in chariots of fire, 

And glory with cherubs to vie. 

Dear Lord while I stay, in this building af clay, 

O help me to watch unto prayer ; 
And when I must die, let me soar up on high,. 

That I thy redemption may share. 



"I AM WITH YOV:'— Mat. xxviii, 20. 
All hail ye blest pilgrims enlisted for glory, 

Who publish salvation to regions afar ; 
Who preach to the heathen the Gospel's rich story. 

Which leads them to Jesus, the bright morning star. 

Your calling is worthy,, and high your commission, 
To spread the glad tidings of life all around; 

To tell the poor Gentile his hopeless condition. 
And point him where treasures of glory abound. 

God speed the dear pilgrims to tell the sad stranger. 
Who falls down to worship his gods made of stone. 

That the blood of King Jesus can save him from 
danger, 
That he bled on the cross his sins to atone. 



rice's poetry. 

The song of redemption shall cheer ev'ry nation, 
And the flag of free grace shall float on the breeze ; 

Until God's disciples shall fill ev'ry station, 
From rivers to oceans and isles of the seas. 

Cheer up wandering pilgrims, though often forsaken, 
The God of the prophets your Savior shall be ; 

The land of the heathen by grace must be taken, 
And her sons and daughters in Jesus be free. 

Then shouts to the Savior in rapture resounding. 
Shall fill every heart and fire ev'ry tongue ; 

While robes of salvation through faith are abounding, 
Made free by that God who on Calvary hung. 



FREE GRACE. 



See the stream of Free Grace that flows from the 

fountain, 
"Which invites Adam's race to climb Zion's mountain ; 
For sin and pollution and ev'ry transgression ; 
The blood of the Savior makes free intercession. 

This fountain is perfect and ample to pardon, 

And buoy up the soul through the waters of Jordan; 

Though the guilt of the heart shall wave like the 

ocean. 
The blood of atonement can still the commotion. 

Sweet Jesus ride on in the car of Salvation, 
' Till shouts of thanksgiving shall swell ev'ry nation, 
' Till the world shall unite with holy intention 
To honor the Savior who purchased Redemption. 

When we pass the cold waters and gain the bright 
shore. 

With sweet anthems of glory well '11 praise ever- 
more ; 

We '11 sail the blest river, and soar to its fountain, 

With pinions of angels we '11 scale Zion's mountain. 



rice's poetry. 209 

rhere, free from temptation, we '11 range the blest 

regions, 
\nd join in sweet anthems with cherubic legions ; 
We '11 bask in the sunshine of God's golden treasure, 
\nd worship King Jesus with undying pleasure. 

iTe redeemed of the Lord ! come drink of the waters, 
\nd press on to glory with Zion's fair daughters; 
Rich mercy 's now flowing through the Lamb that 

was slain ; 
Leave your crimes of pollution, your Eden regain. 



THE VICTOR FROM EDOM. 

Wkat Victor is this from the fields of the slain. 

Arrayed with his garments of deep-crimsoned hue ? 
kVhat Victor is this who has suffered such pain, 
' That souls of lost men might God's favor renew ? 

•It is I," saith the Lord, " I burst the strong hold 
With my sword of wrath and the strength of my 
hand ; 
Tis I who was often by prophets foretold. 
That destroyed the tyrant and broke his strong 
band." 

\.nd why, O thou Victor ! why crimsoned in blood 
Why scarred with those wounds the sinner should 
pain ? 
Ui, why thus besmeared, with the heart's gushing 
flood, 
As if just returning from fields of the slain ? 

' The winepress of Edom I 've trodden alone, 

Her banners are scattered, her armies are fled, 
I ifet further will I, who their vengeance have borne, 
' Pursue them by judgment to fields of the dead. 

,' There was not a helper in Isr'el to save, 

J No arm that could rescue the Lamb to be slain ; 

14 



210 bice's poetry. 

I looked ; but alas ! I must enter the grave, 
And in the dark mansion of Joseph remain. 

" But short was my stay in the tomb of the dead ; 

Its bands burst asunder, in triumph I rose ; 
Go tell my disciples the Savior has fled, 

That an angel from Heaven his grave did unclose. 

" Go tell them he rose from the night of the slave. 
And broke the strong fetters of death and despair; 

Go tell them rich news of redemption to save. 
For they by his triumph salvation shall share." 



REJOICING OF ANGELS. 

0, why are the anthems of cherubs resounding, 
With sounds of sweet music through regions of 
love ? 

And the song of the ransomed in union abounding, 
Responsive with harpa of the Angels above ? 

And why do they listen from summits of gladness, 
Where all are rejoicing in raptures divine ? 

And what can they see in this region of sadness, 
That shall to them laurels of glory entwine ? 

Behold in yon dark dreary cell — where reclining 
On earth, low and hopeless, the prisoner is bound ; , 

No beam through his dungeon of hope ever shining, 
No accents of mercy with light do resound. 

By man his God leaving, through devil's enchanting. 
His soul sinks in darkness and feels the dire rodj 

But the rich Mediator with glories advancing. 
Bids him trust in his Savior, his Maker and God.' 

See down his pale cheeks the tears are fast stealing. 
And his prayer from lips trembling soars up on 
high; 

See sighs from his bosom his sorrows revealing. 
Call grace from the Fountain that never shall dry. 



RICE S POETRT, 211 

Let us marvel no more at seraphs rejoicing, 

When saints to King Jesus their raptures do raise ; 
True faith and repentance man's sins are destroying, 
Which makes joy for Angels and Christians to 
praise. 
Then raise your blest anthems, ye bright stars of 
Heaven, 
And on your Creator eternally gaze 
iSo may God's salvation to sinners be given, 

Which ransoms the soul from the night of the 
grave. 

THE RUINS OF CANAAN. 
Where is the land with God's rich mercy flowing, 

Where gifts of gladness roll on fancy's theme? 
fOver her fields spontaneous weeds are growing. 

Where fire and blood have mingled in one stream. 
These are dire scenes to past'ral eyes beholding, 

God's vengeance rushes over Canaan's plain; 
His arm of might his horrid wrath unfolding, 

And heaps on heaps are by his anger slain. 

Where is the bliss of honest hearts repenting, 
The sweet repose and sunshine of the soul ? 

The host above are to our joys consenting, 
And by repentance healing waters roll. 

Christians, awake ; the land shall soon be taken, 9 

God calls you to his saving fold again ; ^ 

Though you by sin have justly been forsaken, 
' Return and crowns of endless life obtain. 

Melt down our hearts thou Son of joy and gladness, 
I And bring us back to Canaan's happy home : 
[Disperse the gloom that fills our hearts with sadness. 
And buoy us up in hope of joys to come. 

'And when the war note shall by death be ended, 
When foes by sin God's children fight no more ; 

May Calvary's gift and angels' songs be blended. 
To swell those hearts where life is kept in store. 



212 kick's poetry. 

THE EOD. 

I looked, and the bride in her glory and pride, 

Adorned in her shining array ; 
And the life-giving tide which glowed on her face, 

Was blooming, inviting, and gay. 

With honest devotion she gave her fond heart, 

To the fancy of treach'rous love ; 
And bound all her hopes to the glory of earth, 

With affections kind as the dove. 

Soon I looked and her heart was wounded and faint. 
And her bonds were sundered in twain; 

She had sold her fancy for garments of woe, 
And her beauty for treach'rous gain. 

But I saw her Savior pour balm in her heart. 

And wiping the fast falling tear, 
He fastened the bonds which were broken apart. 

By his love which casts away fear. 

The mourner awoke from her sadness and woe, 

Lamented the path she had trod ; 
And hailed the sweet voice that whispered fronR 
Heaven, ■ 

" I love thee ! pass under the rod." \ 

I saw the fond mother in beauty arrayed 

Bend over her innocent boy ; 
And she hailed the sweet voice which uttered her 
name. 

As the babe lay smiling with joy. 

As sweet as the rose-bud all shining with dew, f 

With its fragrance floating in air ; 
So fresh and effulgent her son did appear 

As he slept in innocence there. 

Soon I saw her again beholding her boy. 

When veiled in the ruins of death ! 
By the ruthless angel his glories had fled 

For in haste he gave up his breath. 



eice's poetky. 213 

But the Savior was nigh who wounded her heart, 

And swept the fair idol away ; 
To entice her above he bore it on high, — 

And she rose her Lord to obey. 

While tears were fast falling she gave a deep sigh ! 

Then asked the forgiveness of God ; 
And hailed the sweet voice that whispered from 
Heaven, 

" I love thee ! pass under the rod." 

I beheld, and the parents fondly reclined 

On the arms of their duteous son ; 
And the prospect of bliss grew strong in their sight, 

When they saw the treasures he 'd won. 

And when the last evening of life was at hand, 
Their pathway was bright to behold ; 

And the sweet star of love did over them shine. 
And glittered like spangles of gold. 

But ere long I saw them bend over the tomb. 

And their tears of sorrow did roll ; 
[For their son had just died, and entered the grave, 

By the fate of nature's control. 

But the Savior in gladness bound up their hearts. 

And poured in the oil and the wine ; 
And bade them the fountain of waters partake, 
' And ever in glory to shine. 

The)'^ found earthly treasures were fleeting and vain. 

And nothing could live but in God ; 
And they hailed the voice that whispered from Hea- 
ven, 

" I love thee ! pass under the rod." 



214 kice's poetry. 

THE ROCK IN MID OCEAN. 

In the deep blue ocean, remote and alone 

Is a Rock, which sunders the waters in twain , 

Its towering bastions with fragments are strowtl— 
Its strong hold by nature is long to remain. 

Let frightful tornadoes rush on when they may, 
And the ocean's deep waves fast roll round its 
feet ; 

Let its crags ever drip with fast-falling spray, 
It shall brave ev'ry foe, and hold its strong seat. 

What though the huge breakers and whirlwinds may 
sweep. 

That hermit of ages shall conquer them all : 
The sailor shall see it still braving the deep, 

And view from its surface the waters to fall. 

Long worn, but yet firm is that desolate Rock, 
It keeps its strong station where islands are born; 

In triumph looks down on the ocean's deep shock. 
And salutes its vain foes with laughter and scornj 

Come thou, that reverest the Master on high, 
Stand fast on the Rock of salvation above : 

When thy passions rush on, and dangers are nigh, 
Believe, and recline on the arms of his love, 

Wheh skeptics would have thee thy Savior disdain, 
And scorn that rederhption, — the sinner to save ; 

When they rail on his saints with infidel stain, 
Stand fast on the Rock, — the tempest to brave. 

Be firm like the bastion, nor wish to depart 

From precepts of Heaven, their cares, or their 
cost ; 
Rich treasure eternal God made to impart ; 

But by man's rejection the gift shall be lost. 
With the wiles of the devil, — his wrath, or his mirth. 

Strive hard as the martys of Jesus have striven ; 
And all thy temptations and sorrows on earth, 

Shall be paid in the full fruition of Heaven. 



RICE S POETRY. 215 



THE LOAFER'S LAMENTATION. 

Come hear the sad wails of a poor drunken Loafer, 
Whose long-bearded face calls loud to be shorn ; 

For rum, lo he cries, ere his spree is quite over, 
While his money 's all gone and his clothes badly 
torn. 

This course he pursues to the rum-seller's station, 
Where he in profusion his rations did draw ; 

He calls to the landlord with strong invitation, 
" 0, give me a smaller to moisten my craw." 

But the rum-seller's signal is, " Loafer be gone ; 

My house I keep civil and you can't he here ;" 
He takes his departure with spirits forlorn, 

Without understanding which way he shall steer. 

" 0, Avhiskey ! by thee I am s-adly forsaken, 
I dream of thy glory, yet thou dost not come ; 

Alas, my sad feelings ! — with tremens I 'm shaken, 
While the skin of my throat is dry as a drum. 

"My spree of rejoicing is quickly passed over, 
And I 'm left to wander in shame and despair; 

The dog has a shelter his body to cover. 

But I have no friends, food, or clothing to wear." 

O, sad is the fate of this heart-broken stranger; 

No money to purchase the god of his soul ; 
He walks to and fro like a lost frantic ranger, 

' Till forced to the mad-house his fate to condole. 

Insane by delirium in madness he rages. 

He trembles and shrieks on the verge of despair ; 

Disease reigns triumphant, until its last stages 
Breaks down his clay prison his fate to declare. 

;Such are the dire scenes of this poor fallen creature, 
, Who but few months ago left the Emerald Isle : 
'No relatives near to behold his sad feature. 
And sigh kis farewell with the loss of a smile. 



216 rice's poetry. 

He 's gone where the waves of destruction are rolling, 
Where fires of damnation can never expire ; 

Where his sighs and deep groans are ever unfolding 
The justice of God, and the curse of his ire. 

Thou spirit of love ! stay the tide of destruction, 
Which like a tornado sweeps over the world ; 

By thy reformation make that introduction, 

Which expands thy glory, free grace has unfurled. 



PETITION FOR PEACE. 

How long shall we glory in war with the stranger ? 

How long shall our brethren in battle be slain ? 
Ah ! why shall we press on our forces to danger, 

When the life-blood of thousands is lavished likoi 
rain ? 

How long shall we glory when tears are fast falling- 
From widows and orphans the slaughter has made? 

Why rush on to danger with prospects appalling ? 
Though our warriors have been with triumph ar- 
rayed. 

Ah ! why should the war-cry for glory be longer ? 

And nations rejoice in rebellion and strife ? I 

The weak may expire by the sword of the stronger ; 

Yet what can avail such destruction of life ? 

My brethren awake to the Gospel trump sounding ; 

When our Savior was smitten he smote not again: 
Let that spirit of Peace in us be abounding ; 

And our souls shall live through the deep sanguine 
stain. 

Ah ! how can the warrior who claims martial glory. 
Aspire for those treasures in mansions above 1 

And how can he ever repeat the glad story, 

" My heart is made free by the Gospel of love ?'* 



eice's poetry. 217 

What avails this vain glory, when souls have de- 
parted, 
And taken their lodgings where demons bewail ? 
What good with lost angels to feel broken-hearted, 
Where the voice of salvation no more shall pre- 
vail ? 

Then let the strong banner of Peace be extended. 
And fan every soul by the breezes of Heaven ; 

Let justice and mercy in union be blended, 
And the sound for battle no more shall be ffiven. 



RELIGION. 

Hail, holy Spirit I Messenger of love, 

Inspire my heart, and calm my troubl'd soul ; 

Rivers of mercy from thy fount above, 
Over my spirit healing waters roll. 

Thy dwelling place is in the humble heart. 
Which beats responsive to thy holy will, 

Though poverty beset with venomed dart. 

And make that heart with deepest sorrows thrill. 

Though every nerve vibrate with keenest grief. 
Though borne beneath oppression's pond'rous thrall, 

Thy fulgent smile would give some kind relief, 
And o'er the spirit calming lustre fall. 

When thorns of sorrow hedge my gloomy path. 
Thy hand of mercy shall destroy their sting ; 

When dismal clouds spread o'er my sky with wrath, 
Over these clouds hope's rainbow thou shall fling: 

When the fast beating pulse of life is dead. 
And hostile foes, the wealthy and the poor, 

Liie low in death, each in his narrow bed. 
Where love and envy shall be known no more ; 

Then like some guardian angel drawing nigh 
The place in which my mould'ring dust shall sleep, 



218 rice's poBtrt. 

Till God's last trumpet rend the azure sky, 
Thy careful eye my sleeping dust shall keep. 

And when the angel's awful trump shall sound 
Through earth's vast region, " Time shall be no 
more :" 

When fire through all the elements abound, 
And the long dreamless sleep of death is o'er : 

Then wilt thou bear me to some heavenly sphere, 
Where deathless pleasures reign without alloy. 

Where sweetest songs enchant the ravish'd ear, 
And life is one eternal scene of joy 



THE SEPULCHRE. 

Mine eye beholds the dead, 
O'er battle field, the landscape and the plain, 
In waters deep, and shores where heroes bled, 

Are countless numbers slain. ^ 

Within the peopled street. 
The prisoner's gloomy cell and mansions high ; ' 
In fancy's domes, where pomp and folly meet, 

Men agpnize and die. ^ 

The poor and rich must fall ; 
Must bow beneath death's sceptre — and the brave—* 
The bondman and the free — the low and tall, 

Sink in one common grave. j 

The moonlight gilds the walls 
Of monarch's tombs inwrought Avith finest brass J • 
And the lone shadow of the willow falls 

Across the waving grass. » 

• The sons of gone-by time, 
Who did vast cities rear, and ships at sea, 
For ages stood in grandeur most sublime. 

But they no longer be. 

The orator and sage. 
The graceful poet and warrior brave, were there j 



1 



RICE'S POETRY. 21f 

And maniacs in all their frantic rage, 
And maidens white and fair. 

But their glory 's passed away ; 
Sun rose and set, earth flourished in her bloom ; 
While man was thoughtless, and in folly gay 

Sunk to his final tomb. 

" The dead are every where ;" 
Where 'er compassion dwells — envy or faith ; 
Or wealth and power appear in richest air ; 

There reigns the victor, Death. 



THE BLISS OF HEAVEN. 

No death is there ; 
No mortal sickness wastes the frame away, 
No fearful shrinking from contagious air, 
No fear of scalding heat by summer's ray. 

No groans and sighs. 
No wild and frightful visions of the night. 

No living mortal mourns, and bleeds, and dies ; 
No eyes in tears, for glory heaves in sight. 

Care 's past away ; 
Within that realm of endless praise and song, 

Its surges break and leave a joyful day. 
Where saints redeemed have joined the spirit throng, 

The storm's dark wing 
Shall never blacken th' eiTulgent skies ; 

Its chilly winds and thunders shall not fling 
Their shroud around the spirit as she flies. 

There is no night ; 
No frosty wind shall pierce the tender frame ; 

No sun or moon is there ; for God is light — 
Bids darkness flee by the Messiah's name. 

No friends shall part. 
And by some keen reflection have to weep ; 



220 kice's poetky. 

No bed of death shall make the spirit smart, 
In view of a swift-coming, pulseless sleep. 

No dying flower, 
Or fading leaves, these heavenly gardens know'; 
No with'ring blast or fierce destroying shower, 
Spreads devastation like a ruthless foe. 

No martial word 
Awakes the heavenly hosts with dread or fear ; 

The joyful song of Bliss is ever heard. 
And love's rich jewel God and angels rear. 

Let us go home, 
If such bright glory fill the weary soul ; 

Thou stricken saint, look up ! God bids thee come, 
And weep no more by sorrow's stern control. 

Faith is our guide ; 
With robes of innocence it leads the way ; 

Why fear we, then, to enter Jordan's tide, 
And find the pleasures of an endietis day 1 'J 



ACROSTIC ON JOHN N. MAFFITT. 



J...ESUs' sweet name thy bosom doth inspire, 

0...'er hill and dale the Gospel truth to spread ; ^ 

H...eaven's rich glory doth thy spirit fire ; 

N...0 hell-born foe shall waste thy living bread. ^ 

N...ews of salvation fills thy ravished soul ! 

M...an's blood-bought spirit cheers thy sparkling? 
eye ! 
A... view of Calv'ry doth thy heart control ; 

F...or down that fount flow streams that never dry. 

F...riend of thy Savior and of sinners lost, 

L..n God's rich chariot ride on faith's strong Aving ! 

T...ell to the world what man's redemption cost ; » 
T...read down the serpent with his baneful sting.i 

V 



rice's poetry. 221 

THE JOYS OF HEAVEN. 

Come saints all round, my Lord I have found, 

He 's spread a rich banquet above ; 
Are your hearts like mine, for Jesus to pine, 

Come enter the chariot of love. 

By faith we 'II arise, to crowns in the skies ; 

By hope we this glory aspire ; 
By love we have come, and entered our home, 

With our hearts enraptur'd with fire. 

Behold the saints sing, how they make Heaven rmg. 

In friendship they all do combine ; 
The choirs all unite, hearts, voices and might. 

And their song is mercy divine. 

Hallelujahs they raise, in glory they praise, 
Their Master who sits on his throne ; 

They honor the Lamb, and the great I Am, 
Saying Jesus for sin did atone. 

The Lord on his throne, now dwells with his own, 

Where rivers of pleasure abide ; 
In day without night, saints feast on his might, 

And sail on eternity's tide. 

They '11 dwell with the Dove, and bask in his love, 

In regions of beauty on high ; 
And walk streets of gold, while eternity rolls. 

Where the son^s of bliss never die. 



ACROSTIC ON JOHN SUMMERFIELD. 

J...UST was the theme that bore his soul away 
0...n faith's strong pinions to the climes above; 

H...i3 lofty spirit caught the heav'nly ray; 
N...or could the world destroy his flaming love. 

S...hort was his pilgrimage on earth to preach 
U...pon God's truth, which did his bosom fire ; 



222 rice's poetry. 

M...ercy's rich boon empowered his lips to teach ;— 
M...an's fallen Eden did his soul inspire. 

E...nraptured glory was his chosen theme ; 

R...efulgent Gospel fanned his weary soul; 
F...ood from his Savior made his spirit beam 

I...n mid-day splendor at his final goal, 

E...nchanting angels from the courts on high, 
L...ooked down as he set forth a Savior's name ; 

D...ense crowds of hearers who in sin did vie, 
C... aught the rich gem which did his bosom flame. 



ON SPRING. 

The Spring has come in all its glory, 
The dreary Winter's passed away; 

The birds begin their warbling story, 
And joyful sing their morning lay. 

The mountain snows disperse in water, 
And icy bridges float the stream ; 

The chilly winds from ev'ry quarter, 
Have all departed like a dream. 

The floating zephyrs' vernal breezes 
Revive new verdure o'er the plain ; 

The sun in all his splendor pleases 
Mankind with light on earth's domain. 

Lo, nature wrapped in death-like slumber. 
In haste returns to life again ; 

The king of day, rays without number. 
Calls for the Spring's enchanting strain. 

The forest trees shoot out their branches, 
The rosy buds burst forth in bloom ; 

The dormant power of nature stanches. 
And herbage rises from the tomb. 

So man shall enter his last slumber. 
As he descends his dreary grave ; 



rice's poetry. SSJ 

Yet God shall raise the countless number, 
That sink beneath death's scourging wave. 

In living beaut}', bright and shining, 
Immortal man shall wing the skies ! 

With Jesus' love and faith combining, 
He shall to golden mansions rise. 

Shall join angelic choirs in glorj^ 

And bask in one eternal Spring ; 
And ever tell salvation's story, 

And on the harps of angels sing. 



FAITH. 

Faith is a star to cheer and guide 
The pilgrim on his dreary course, 

Its light destroys sin's rapid tide. 

And points the soul to God, its source. 

Faith is a building on the plain. 

Beyond deep Jordan's rolling waves ! 

The Christian views the golden fane, 
And every storm and tempest braves. 

Faith is an anchor to the soul, 

Which scales Mount Zion's holy hill ! 

The winds may rage, the breakers roll, 
Yet Jesus speaks, and all is still. 

Faith is the boon that leads above. 
The way of life the prophet trod, 

The joyful road of peace and love, 
The free and sovereign grace of God ! 

Faith is the healing balm of life, 
A certain cure for ills and pain ; 

It calms the passions' raging strife, 
And frees the soul from all her stain. 

Faith is a gem from yonder sky, 
A plant of some immortal birth ! 



224 eice's poetry. 

It was not made to bloom and die, 

Like the vain crested flowers of earth. 

Why then despise this brilliant star, 
This beacon tower, this anchor sure ? 

This foreign plant from mansions far, 
This medicine the soul to cure ? 

Ah ! why not all the world receive 
This Faith, and soar above despair ? 

Give up their sins, in Christ believe, 
And learn their Master's yoke to bear ? 

This boon is worth the heart's desire, 
It saves mankind from endless pain, 

Endows them with celestial fire. 

And makes them meet with God to reign. 

Angels above in Faith rejoice, 

And all the blissful throng on high ; 

Why then refuse salvation's voice, 

Which caused our Lord to bleed and die ? 



"GOD MANIFEST IN THE FLESH." 

Hail thrice happy day, when veiled in our clay, 

The Savior appeared upon earth ! 
My soul can't refrain, to join in the strain, 

That hailed King Immanuel's birth ! 

Behold this vast love, first issued above. 
To us through the Lamb is made known ! 

Our voices we '11 raise, exulting with praise, 
That on earth salvation is strown ! 

Ye angels on high, and cherubs that vie. 

Extol him as King of all kings ! 
We also will join, in praises divine, 

And incense to Jesus will bring ! 

This Priest we '11 adore, and praise evermore ; 
For his arm will lead us to God ! 



rice's poetry. 225 

His treasure of gold, its wings will unfold, 
And save us from sin's killing rod ! 

We '11 spend all our days to Messiah's praise; 

For he our salvation has won ! 
He dwelt here beloAV, his mercy to show, 

And expired for sinners undone ! 

Now let us return, and view Joseph's urn, 
Where our Lord in triumph did rise ! 

A.nd hail the blest day, when Jesus did say, 
" Seek treasures laid up in the skies !" 

3 may we prolong, this Heaven born song. 

And chant the sweet anthem below! 
To kindle that fire, the nations desire. 

Which does in God's paradise grow ! 

)ear Savior while we pay homage to thee. 

Let us bless, admire and adore ! 
ATe honor that love, begotten above. 

Its Author we '11 praise evermore ! 



JESUS, THE STAR OF ETERNITY. 

While musing on the heavenly plain, 
I hear the choir of angels sing ; — 

The Savior is their joyful strain. 
For he this day is born a King. 

" Glory to God," the chorus break ! 

For man appears a diadem ! 
The sinner may this crown partake, 

And hail the Star of Bethlehem. 

When on the frightful deep I rode, 

The light'nings flashed — the night was dark, 
The direful tempest rudely blowed. 

Which threatened to destroy my barque ! 

The chills of death my vitals froze ! 
In haste I ceased the tide to stem ! 
15 



226 kice's poetry. 

' Twas then a brilliant Star arose, 
The new-born Star of Bethlehem. 

This is the source of all my joy ; 

It bids my dying spirit live, 
My vile affections shall destroy, 

My past offences will forgive. 

When safely landed on the shore, 
I '11 sing of the immortal gem ! 

Where perils, pain and grief are o'er, 
I '11 praise the Star of Bethlehem. 

My vital spark, made free from clay, 
Shall by this Star inflame with love ; 

And sing the song of endless day, 
With all the sacred hosts above. 

While God's eternal ages roll. 

With saints I'll pluck of Life's fair Tree; 
And slake the longings of my soul, 

Where servants of the Lord are free. 



PARDONING GRACE. 

Fkom sore distress and midnight gloom. 
My God I raise my thoughts to thee ; 

save me from the spirit's tomb, 
And let me thy salvation see. 

Thou hast confirmed thy throne of grace, 
To wash the sinner's stain away; — 

Let vile seducers seek thy face. 

Believe in Thee and learn to pray. 

As the lost strangers often wait. 

With mourning hearts for some known guide;! 
So I will stand before thy gate, 

And in thy saving blood confide. 

My faith is fixed on treasures born 
Above the starry lamps on high ! 



rice's poetry. 227^ 

My Savior will not leave forlorn 

My ransomed soul to mourn and die ! 

God's love is great, boundless and free, 
Vast in Redemption through his Son ; 

Father bind my heart to thee, 
That I may hell's damnation shun. 

Keep me in thy Almighty hand, 
Inspire my soul with mercy's tide; 

And I shall find the promised land, 
And drink the stream of Jesus' side. 



ACROSTIC ON GEORGE WHITEFIELD. 

Gr...EORGE Whitefield's name breaks in upon my 
soul ; — 

E...ndearing mem'ry brings it back again ; 
0...'er land and sea he spread the flowing bowl, 

R...ich with salvation by the Savior slain, 

5r...reat was that zeal which moved his pious breast, 
E...ndowed that heart which plead the Savior's 
love ; 

ii\r...orthy that spirit with rich grace possessed, 
H...appy that soul which took its flight above. 

L.n gushing floods of rapture he did preach 
T...hat living boon which came from God on 
high; 

3...ndowed from Zion's mountain, he did teach 
F...rail man to seek those gems that never die. 

!... mortal spirit ! thou hast took thy flight ! 

E... merged from earth to wing celestial skies ! 
j...et fall thy mantle, and reflect that light, 

D...isplayed where God's rich fountain never 
dries. 



\ 



228 rice's poetry. 



GOD'S OMNIPRESENCE. 

Great God, in vain my soul would try 
To flee my vast concerns with thee, 

To shun thy presence, or to fly 

Where thou no more shalt notice me. 

Thy all-pervading eye surveys 
My mid-day glory, and my rest, 

My daily walks, and all my ways. 
And ev'ry secret of my breast. 

My thoughts lay open to thy view, 
When first in me they found a place J 

And ev'ry act that I pursue, 
Meets thy approval or disgrace. 

Infinite Wisdom, vast and deep ! 

Where shall a creature from thee hide ? 
Thy circling glories round me keep. 

And bear me up on ev'ry side. 

Should I my vital pulse destroy 
To fiee the wrath of God divine ! 

He would his mighty arm employ, 
And make the grave her dust resign. 

Should I on wings of morning light, 
Fly far beyond the western sky; 

Thy piercing eye would take its flight, 
And soon my distant region spy. 

If o'er my wicked heart I draw 

The cheerless shades of midnight gloom, 
I can't evade thy perfect law. 

Nor find a shelter in the tomb. 

The light of day and midnight hour, 
Are both alike my Lord to thee ! 

may I not provoke thy power, 
From which my spirit cannot flee. 



rice's poetry. 229. 



GRIEVE NOT THY MOTHER. 

grieve her not whose three score years 
Have drove the days of youth awayj 

Nor rage at her when ills and fears, 
Press in on life's expiring ray. 

The footsteps of thy mother aid, 

And wreathe thy glory on her brow ; 

Let not her weeping eyes be made 
The fount of grief where sinners bow. 

Her active steps by age have failed, 
Her building totters made of clay ; 

For God to man has long entailed 
That curse which calls us all away. 

Let thy strong arm her burdens bear, 
And cheer her when in life's decline, 

And with thy heart's most tender care, 
Impart to her God's truth divine. 

Remember in thy infant years 

Her arms oft raised thee to her breast, 

And drove away thy childish fears, 
And calmed thy troubled heart to rest. 

Think of that voice in accents mild, 
Which strove thy feeble mind to aid ; 

Behold that heart which loved her child. 
And for it prayed in midnight's shade. 

When sickness lingers on her cheek, 
And she draws near the gaping tomb, 

The words of Jesus to her speak, 

And cheer her through deep Jordan's gloom. 

Then shall thy spirit be at rest, 

While passing down life's rapid stream; 

And God thy Father call thee blest, 
When in his image thou shalt beam. 



S^ rice's poetky. 



THE AUTHOR'S ACROSTIC IN PRAYER. 

R...efulgent Light ! in mercy beam, 
0...n me display thy brilliant ray; 

S...et free my soul by power unseen ! 
W...elcome my heart to endless day. 

E...ternal Life ! and all I am ! 

L...et stains of guilt from me depart-^ 
L...et fall on me sweet Gilead's balm ! 

R...eflect thy love upon my heart. 

I...mmortal Spirit, Holy Dove ! 

C.ome in and fill me with thy fire ; 
E...ndow my soul with joys above ! 

That I may after Heaven aspire. 




THE CURSE OF WAR. 

Hark ! the loud cannon moves the troubl'd air, 
Spreads o'er the world the pall of deep despair, 
Swells a grave dirge by relatives around, 
While hellish fiends repel the gloomy sound. 

Fierce bent on blood the savage monster moves, 
Compels his men to wade the purple flood : — 
For what intent ? to stamp a hero's name, 
Throuirh seas of blood to shout immortal fame. 



P rice's poetry. 231 

Conflicting scene, what speculation's here ? 
Sweet boons departing, stamped with friendship dear, 
Sporting in glorious shame and motley strife, 
Each warrior moves to his departing life. 

While the deep shades of hostile passions flow, 
Sudden the death-ball strikes the fatal blow ; 
The soul departs — in mournful gloom retires, 
Rolls in the flame of self-condoling fires. 

Is there civility in War ? If so, 
Withdraw my pen and let the rebel go ; 
Urge him on to battle wheje honor 's found, 
And let his blood for fame distil the ground. 

Is piety in War ? If this be true, 
Let man no more the way of peace pursue. 
Let Gospel truth remaia a fictious plan. 
And every being join the hellish clan. 

Let the fair angel boast no more of love, 
The Son of God no more be call'd the Dove; 
Let Eden's bliss no man desire to find. 
Or wish for future glory of the kind. 

My muse awake ! let not thy reason sleep 
In fictious systems sinking in the deep; 
Receive the news thy Savior did proclaim, 
And let the spirit of affection reign. 

Where is the man that glories in the field ? 
Where men cause death stamp an eternal seal ! 
Whose mind pervades the ample bliss on high; 
Imbibes the fame of his Redeemer's sigh. 

If drops of blood in some lone recess pour, 
If there a victim welters in his gore. 
The chase prevails until the murd'rer's found — 
Until he hears proclaim'd his deathly sound ! 

But if a sea of blood does stain the ground — 

If plains be flooded through the landscape round ; 



232 kick's poetky. 

No coroner his inquisition holds, 

No solemn voice the fatal deed unfolds. 

The crime's too great for moral laws to rule, 
Therefore the play-boy glories in his school ; 
Fears not the bow that shoots eternal ire ; 
Fears not the woes of hell's devouring fire. 

If War is wisdom, may I not pursue 
Its noxious branches, which in gloom bestrew 
The path of life with horror, death and pain ; 
Clothing the world in mourning for the slain. 

If War is just, how can those angels mourn, 
Who fell from Heaven to grasp the fatal groan ? 
Why not rejoice in their infernal plan ? 
And God approve the savage course of man ? 

Our Savior's mandate is to love the foe ; 
By this all men the Holy Spirit know ; — 
The carnal heart a friendly mind approves. 
But gen'ral friendship does the saint behoove. 

Thou Friend of Peace, immortal Light appear; 
Dispel the flood — convey thy Spirit near; 
Break up the deep, and let thy kingdom reign; 
Thy gentle breezes fill the broad domain. 



ACROSTIC ON HENRY B. BASCOM. 

H...AIL brilliant Star ! bedecked with God's own 
hand ! 

E...nchanting rapture lights thee with a flame ! 
N...evvs of salvation from celestial land, 

R...evives thy spirit through King Jesus' name. 

Y...ears of thy life are swiftly passing by, 

B...orne on the wings of time's destroying flight ! 

B...ut that bright crown for which thy soul doth vie, 
A,..ssumes the regions of eternal light ! 



rice's poetry. 233 

S...uiTounding mercy bids thy spirit rise, 

C...onfirms the prize of which pure angels boast ! 

0..., live for glory ! and the upper skies 

M...ust sjvell thy anthem with the heavenly host. 



I 



"HONOR THY FATHER." 

Adore thy Father whose gray hairs 

Sparse o'er his wasting temples spread ; 

Adore him when old age impairs 

That grace which once adorned his head. 

What though his falt'ring mind shall feel 

The burden of its mortal clay ? 
What though old age its cares reveal, 

And break the shrine where treasures lay. 

His feeble steps in mercy aid, 
Bedeck his brow with filial love ; 

Let his inactive ear be made 

To hear thy voice sweet as the dove. 

Still, stay his hand, and bear his load ; 

Heal all his wounds with soothing, balm ; 
Sustain him in his downward road, 

And all his sorrows strive to calm. 

Revere him, for his powerless arms 
Have often clasped thee to his breast, 

When infant woes and dread alarms 
Thy weak and timid heart distressed. 

Remember thou that well-known voice, 
Which strove thy youthful mind to aid; 

Give honor to thy Father's choice. 
Because for thee he often prayed. 

Let kindness bear him to his goal. 

Lest when he sleeps in death's embrace, 

The treason of thy guilty soul 

Shall vex thee with extreme disgrace. 



234 rice's poetet. 

For if this filial debt of love 

Does in thy heart no place retain ; 

Then shall thy Judge and Sire above, 
Declare thou shalt not with him reign. 



MINISTRATION OF ANGELS. 

On Zion's hill of brilliant light 
The Lord of glory makes his seat ; 

And clouds of Angels in their flight 
Expand their crowns before his feet. 

" Go," saith our God, " my Angels go, 
And hail the worthy Virgin's Son; 

In haste ye seraphs wing below, 
And loud proclaim salvation won." 

Angelic armies leave the skies. 
In lustre round Elisha stand ; 

In rapid flight a cherub flies, 

And breaks the grisly tyrant's band. 

Thy swift winged servants, my God ! 

Thy mourning church on earth attend ; 
And when she feels affliction's rod, 

They do their utmost succor lend. 

These are thy soldiers, gracious Lord ! 

At thy command they quickly fly, 
Thy word obey with one accord. 

And bear thy church to worlds on high. 



THE BACKSLIDER'S RETURN. 

O thou insulted Dove draw near, 

Though I have done thee much despite; 

Appear in my poor heart, appear ! 
Nor hold from me thy sacred light. 



rice's poetry. 235 

Though I have steeled my wicked heart, 
And drove away my guilt and fears ; 

Have urged the spirit to depart, 
For many past rebellious years : 

Though I have most unfaithful prov'd, 
Of all who have received thy grace ; 

Have the broad road of death pursued, 
And often shunn'd thy smiling face : 

Yet, God, the chief of rebels spare, 

In honor of my Savior's name, 
Nor in thy righteous judgment swear 

To banish me in endless pain. 

The inclinations of my heart, 

To leave the Lord, my dearest friend, 

Inspire my soul with cruel smart. 
And make me weep because of sin. 

Lord, my weary heart set free. 
Uplift my soul with mercy's hand ; 

And may I hence thy servant be. 

And find, through faith, the promised land. 



THE LOVE OF GOD. 

While man was in his dark estate, 
And chained with all the ills of sin j 

When death eternal was his fate, 
And love to God was lost within j 

When evil triumphed in his heart. 
And led him on the road to hell j 

When he from justice did depart, 
And vipers did his bosom swell : 

The Lord in kindness saw his fate. 
On mercy's pinions winged his way; 

Left all in glory, good and great. 
And took upon him mortal clay. 



236 rice's poetky. 

Down from the Father's courts he flew 
Was clothed in garments most divine i 

His love did Adam's race pursue, 
When He expired for all mankind. 

The way to God hedged up by sin, 

Through blood divine he opened wide J 

The sinner now may treasures win, 
May find a cleft in Jesus' side. 

For him his Savior bore the pain 

Of crucifixion on the tree ; 
That he might turn to God again, 

And bear the palms of victory. 

While in the garden knelt in prayer, 
My Savior's cries went up to God ; 

His angel flew — brought comfort there, 
Gave strength unto my dying Lord. 

AH this the Savior did for man, 

To save him from the pains of hell j 

All this is in salvation's plan, 

That Adam's race with God may dwell. 



THE FALLS OF NIAGARA. 

As I behold Lake Erie's waters, 

While passing down Niagara's stream, 

I tremble at her awful thunders, 

Like waking from some nightly dream. 

Here nature's God speaks to the stranger, 
And terrifies his soul with fear ; 

And shows to him his awful danger. 
If o'er this chasm he should steer. 

His mortal barque would dash in sunder, 
And break amid the raging stream; 

The rocks and billows without number. 
Would soon destroy hope's faintest gleam. 



i 



rice's poetry. 237 

The Indian warrior down was driven, 

Was thrcaten'd with the waves of death ; 

He o'er the cataract was riven, 

And to his fate resigned his breath. 

Before he phmged the raging waters. 
Which did his boon of life destroy, 

He to the Spirit prayed for quarters, 
In the eternal world of joy. 

He took his martial bow and armor, 
And laid them gently by his side ; 

And heard the dismal waters murmur, 
As he sailed on the rapid tide. 

In steady gaze was fast descending, 
To plunge his deep and dreary grave ; 

At length he o'er the verge was bending, 
And sunk beneath the foaming wave. 

Such is the emblem of the sinner. 

Whose danger God has long foretold; 

Yet he will spurn his only Savior, 
And sell his life for love of gold. 



THE SAINT'S VIEW OF HEAVEN. 

While on the banks of death I stand 
And looked o'er Jordan's stream, 

By faith I view the promised land 
Where all my treasures beam. 

O, what transporting, ravish'd scene 
Is this that heaves in sight ? 

Rich fields are dressed in living green, 
And streams of great delight. 

There trees of life with fruit abound. 

Which do immortal grow ; 
The brooks and landscape all around 

With richest treasures flow. 



233 rice's poetry. 

All o'er those vast, unbounded plains, 
The light of God doth shine ; 

There Christ, my Savior, ever reigns, 
And sheds his grace divine. 

No freezing winds or noxious breath 

Can reach that port of rest ; 
Disease and sorrow, pain and death, 

Can ne'er disturb the blest. 

When shall I find that happy place, 

And from all sin be free ? 
When shall I see my Savior's face, 
*■ And in his presence be ? 

Filled with delight, my ravished soul 
Would bid this world farewell ; 

Though waves of death around me roll, 
I would with Jesus dwell. 

There, on those plains where prophets stand, 

And all the blest on high. 
Our God we '11 worship in a band, 

Where pleasures never die. 



ACROSTIC ON LYDIA H. SIGOURNEY. 

L...0VE tunes thy harp with flaming grace ; 

Y...oung minstrels catch its softer strain ; 
D...escanting thoughts oft leave their trace 

I...n thy rich casket, fraught with gain. 

A... poet's crest has flamed thy soul, 
H...igh o'er the sombre swain to soar! 

S...weet anthems from thy spirit roll ; 
I,..nspired with thy poetic lore. 

G...enius in rhyme expands thy flight ! 

0...'er landscapes wide thy name is known ! 
U...nnumbered songsters swell that light, 

R...efiected from thy Father's throne. 



eice's poetry. 239 

N...0 years shall waste thy well earned fame, 
E...arth's newborn sons shall chime thy song ; 

Y...on mount of God shall own thy name, 
And bear thee home to Zion's thronof. 



GOD THE EVERLASTING LIGHT. 

Farewell, yc shining lamps on high, 
With all your brilliant light ; 

Your golden charms were made to die, 
And turn to shades of night. 

Farewell, refulgent orb of day, 

In splendid flames arrayed ; 
My soul shall soar beyond thy ray, 

No longer want thy aid. 

The stars are but a dismal gleam 

Compared to my abode, 
Where lamps of life forever beam 

Throughout the courts of God. 

The Father of celestial Light 
Shall drive all gloom away, 

Nor shall one hour of darkness blight 
The glories of that day. 

No more shall tears of keenest grief, 

From my wet eyes distil, 
No more my heart shall seek relief, 

But Light my soul shall fill. 

There all the heavenly hosts shall stand. 

Shall in one song unite, 
And in a firm, unbroken band, 

Shall worship with delight. 



240 rice's poetry. 

"PEACE, BE STILL." 

Fear dwelt within the bounding bark 
When raging winds did blow, 

And billows rolling, drear and dark, 
The deck did overflow. 

The crew were breathless, filled with fear, 
And baffled was their skill ; 

They cried, " Is not the Savior here ?" 
He rose ; said, " Peace, be still." 

The raging winds and storm did cease, 

Obeyed their Maker's will; 
The sea was calm, and joyful peace 

Did every bosom fill, 

The power of Jesus stilled the wave, 

The winds in silence fell ; 
So he shall rescue from the grave 

All those that in him dwell. 

O, Lord ! thou didst in danger's hour, 

The howling tempest tame ; 
Come save me by thy Spirit's power, 

From hell's devouring flame. 

Thou didst make the billows' pride 

Thy mission to fulfill. 
Destroy my passion's sinful tide, 

Speak, and say " Peace, be still." 

Then I shall on thy bosom rest. 

And feel that all is well, 
Until I meet with angels blest, 

And in thy kingdom dwell. 



TO AN ABSENT WIFE. 

Hail, dearest one, though far away, 
I fain would with thee stay at home, 



rice's poetry. 241 

And hear thee for thy children pray, 

In melting strains, " Thy kingdom come." 

The loss of health urged me to roam, 
And dwell in this far distant land, 

Where waves of deep Atlantic foam, 
And rush upon her beaten strand. 

I left thee and my offspring dear. 

To see if I that balm could find. 
Which drives away disease and fear, 

And cheers with hope the troubled mind. 

The cross is great, it rends my heart, 
The breakers beat on every side ; 

For I from time must soon depart. 

And plunge deep Jordan's rolling tide. 

The hectic flush is on my cheek. 

Consumption triumphs o'er my frame ; 

Hopeless the boon of health I seek, 
Hopeless I to this region came. 

Mary, thy bosom heaves in vain, 
To hail once more my kind return. 

For death shall rend our hearts in twain, 
When I shall fill the silent urn. 

While morning breaks the midnight gloom, 

My vision does thy beauty spy, 
And as I hasten to the tomb, 

By faith I view thy weeping eye. 

Weep not fair angel, not for me. 

Though strangers do my bed surround ; 

By faith we shall God's glory see, 
And in his paradise be crowned. 

' Tis true I pass the lonesome night, 

Where tears of solitude distil ; 
And when I view the morning light. 

Kind thoughts of thee my bosom thrill. 

16 



242 rice's poetry. 

My strength is gone, I shall no more 
Salute thee with my fond embrace j 

My dying strife will soon be o'er, 
And blast in me each comely grace. 

My little ones no more shall see 
Their distant father's face again ; 

Lord, I commit them all to thee ! 
0, save them from eternal pain ! 

Soon I must sigh the last farewell, 

Until God's trump shall rend the tomb, 

And call his servants home to dwell 
In triumph o'er the tyrant's doom ! 

Then, may we in that kingdom rise, 
Where vipers never sting the soul. 

Where God will us immortalize, 
As long as sinless ages roll 

There death no longer shall destroy 
These temples with his iron rod ! 

But rivers of eternal joy, 

Shall issue from the throne of God ! 



JESUS THE CROWN OF MY HOPE. 

My Jesus, the life of my soul. 

From thee my salvation does flow ; 

Thy truth let my spirit control, 
Thy mercy lost Eden bestow. 

Lord, save me from sin and despair, 
In oceans of rapture and love, 

That I may thy glory declare. 
And press to thy kingdom above. 

Let thy arm my weakness sustain. 
From sorrow and pain set me free ; 

O help, or I never shall gain 

The land where thy servants shall be. 



rice's poetry. 243 

My lot must be mingled with pain, 
While passing the regions of time ; 

0, may it inspire me to gain 
A seat in thy angelic clime. 

May all my sad trials below 

Excite me to look unto God, 
That he to my heart may bestow 

That pardon which saves from his rod. 

And when my frail pulse shall no more 

Give life to ihis animal frame, 
My spirit shall wing the blest shore, 

Where God shall his people reclaim. 

In bonds of redemption on high, 

I '11 sail round my Savior's bright throne ; 

And with his archangels will spy 
Those regions to me now unknown. 

His beauty shall light with a blaze 
My soul by the gems of his love ; 

On his face my vision shall gaze. 
With all the blest angels above. 

No sickness or sin shall destroy 
The glory that lights up the soul; 

No foes to God's kingdom annoy 
That feast his own fingers control. 

This glorious hope is my crown, 
It cheers me in life's gloomy path; 

The altar of sin it breaks down, 

And saves from the curse of his wrath. 



THE PENITENT'S PRAYER. 

Deep in distress my spirit lies, 

Condemn'd by God's unerring law — 

Low in the dust I make my cries, 
That I may heav'nly waters draw. 



1 



244 rice's poetry. 

God of my soul ! hear my voice ! 

For I am burden'd sore with sin ; 
I fain would make thy love my choice — 

Come heal the wound — 'tis deep within. 

Often have I transgress'd thy law, 
By which I 'm now condemn'd to die ! 

I see my sins — they from me draw 

Strong tears of grief — hear my cry ! 

Come gracious Lord — without thy aid 
My soul must sink beneath her load ! 

Grant me the pardon thou hast made, 
And lead me in the narrow road. 

Cleanse me from this my crimson'd stain, 
And make my spirit pure and free ; 

That I may in thy mansion reign. 
And thy eternal glory see. 

To thee, O Lord, be all the praise ! 

For thou art worthy — thou alone ! — 
O let me in thy kingdom raise 

Some nobler song around thy throne. 



McCOMB AND McDONOUGH'S VICTORY, 

AT PLATTSBURGH AND LAKE CHAMPLAIN. 

My countrymen what thaijks we owe 

To our Almighty's name ; 
Who armed us right, our troops to fight. 

And put our foes to shame. 

' Twas for a while our country mourned 

Oppression's cruel blow; 
And deep laid plans, by wicked bands, 

Which hurried us to woe. 

The haughty powers of England rose, 
Our rights to take away ; 



rice's foetry. 84M 

By sea our men, had often been 
Captured as British prey. 

Now Lord Provost, with all his troops, 

Of fourteen thousand men; 
Did march away, from Canada, 

And come up to Champlain. 

While at Champlain, Provost inquired, 

Unto his friends did say, 
** Where is McComb, is he at home, 

Or has he run away ?" 

" Where is the brave McDonough now ? 

For him I 've come to seek ; 
I fear he 's run, my fleet to shun, 

Or hid in Otter creek." 

His friends then made him this reply. 

Unto their Lord did say, 
" They are both near, you need not fear, 

They '11 show you Yankee play." 

This British force to Plattsburgh came, 

And nigh the town did swarm ; 
The siege begin, and think to win. 

The town and fort by storm. 

Now near the river Saranac, 

The British first did come ; 
Attempt to cross, but met such loss, 

As crimsoned all the stream. 

Our valiant officer McComb, 

With well directed fire ; 
Did drive them back from Saranac, 

And caused them to retire. 

While cannons their loud thunders roar, 

And buildings flame at night ! 
While shining o'er, from shore to shore, 

A melancholy sight ! 



Sits rice's poetry. 

Green mountain boys turn out in swarms, 
Their country's cause was dear ; 

They fought for good, and firmly stood, 
No dangers they did fear. 

From hoary heads to beardless boys, 
By thousands here they met ; 

The laurels green, might here be seen, 
To wave in ev'ry hat. 

The New-York sons of Mars awake, 

Determined to be free. 
Turn out in haste, no time they waste, 

But fight for liberty. 

At length the fatal day arrived, 

The holy morning clear ; 
The British boats, the water hosts. 

Up Lake Champlain did steer. 

Now near the head of Cumberland, 

The British fleet appeared ; 
As they drew nigh, huzza they cry. 

And for our fleet did steer. 

Our Commodore addressed his men, 
" My boys be well prepared ;" 

The seamen bold, their matches hold, 
And wait their Captain's word. 

The dreadful conflict now begins, 
The most tremendous sound ; 

While air it shocks, the cottage rocks, 
And shakes the solid ground. 

Two hours or more the battle lasts, 

Our vict'ry did ensue ; 
The ball and shot, poured in so hot, 

Upon the British crew. 

Their valiant Commodore was killed, 
Their rudder shot away ; 



rice's poetey. 247 

Their flag came down, before the town, 
While thousands cried huzza ! 

Let us go near, and view the scene, 

The naval fight explore, 
Of shattered hulls, and mangled skulls, 

And decks besmeared with gore. 

Come view old Saratoga now, 

The Champion of the lake ; 
She's broken now, from stern to bow, 

And lies a sinking wreck. 

Her shivered masts, her shattered hull, 

The water pouring through : 
They pumped, they bailed, at length prevailed, 

And saved their wounded crew. 

Here lies their valiant Commodore, 

Thus he resigned his breath ; 
And many a score of Britons more. 

Here met with instant death. 

Look at their Eagle sloop of war, 

Since captured by her prey ; 
Her wings are clipp'd, her feathers trip'd, 

She's sick of Yankee play. 

The Growler she soon run aground, 

Supposed in a fright ; 
Well might she growl, when she run foul, 

For she 'd no chance to bite. 

Some little craft that lay behind, 

Attempt to sneak away ; 
O, it was fun, to see them run. 

And steer for Canada. 

Now British boj^s if you 've got home, 

Methinks you 'd better stay ; 
Think how Burgoyne, and Provost shine, 

Who lasted Yankee play. 



EICE S POETRY. 

On our brave officers and men, 
We will bestow much praise ; 

McDonough's fame, McComb by name, 
Shall last when time decays. 

My countrymen, what thanks we owe 

To our Almighty's hand. 
Who armed with might our troops to fight, 

And save our sinking land. 



CHRIST'S CRUCIFIXION. 

My soul behold that solemn sight, 

When Jesus groan'd — shed tears and blood ! 
Witness that dark and dreary night, 

When agonized the Son of God ! * 

Behold him led to Pilate's bar, 

By man was there condemn'd to die : ' 

The Jews and Romans from afar, 

Desire his death — and loudly cry ! 

Low on his bed the Savior lies, 

While spikes are driven through his hands ; 
They rear him up ! he groans ! he dies ! 

Amid the Jew and Gentile bands. 

Nature beheld the awful sight ! 

In deepest mourning felt the rod: 
The sun withdrew his brilliant light, 

When died for man the Lamb of God. 

The saints did rise, the mountains quake ! 

The Temple's veil was rent in twain : 
This mournful sight was for my sake, 

To save me from eternal pain. 

Three days in Joseph's marble tomb, * 

The sinner's Friend was held in chains! 
But lo ! he bursts the silent gloom ! 
, At God's right hand forever reigns. 



I 

rice's poetry. 249 

THE CURSE OF THE LAW. 

Deep fell the storm of vengeance from above, 

On man devoted to his fictious god: 
That sin which drove away the precious Dove, 

Expos'd him to Jehovah's awful rod. 

Low in his mire of sin and sable stain, 
He felt his torment, and let fall a tear: 

Mount Sinai shook ! to tell his soul was slain, 
And notice give, his case was full of fear. 

A mournful death has fell on guilty man ; 

His mortal part soon finds the dreary grave : 
The soul departs in hell's deep gulf, to claim 

The pain of demons, where no help can save. 

Night's dreary curtain swells his mournful doom ! 

No day of mercy ever enters there ! 
The smoke and darkness make the spirit's tomb ; 

And blast the soul with death and deep despair. 



P 



ON THE DEATH OF A RELATIVE. 

Sweet blew the zephyr in the Western gale. 
With cheering prospect as it gently flew ; 

The soul now fled expected no assail, 
But soon was forced to bid us all adieu. 

The Monarch Death with iron nerves pursu'd 
In burning tide the crimson'd sluice of blood; 

A deadly chill his mortal track ensu'd. 

And drove the victim through the raging flood. 

His friends, surpris'd approach'd his dying bed. 
Beheld his vital fluid mark'd with death ! 

His cheering visage by disease had fled ; 
Soon they beheld his last expiring breath. 

A mother's tears in kind affection flow, 
Distil upon his face, now cold and pale ! 



§50 eice's poetry. 

But hush ! he 's left this mortal vale of wo— 
Methinks he 's wafted on a nobler gale. 

How oft have I in lowly accents heard 
His voice ascending to his God on high — 

" Father, save a rebel by thy word — 
A sinner by thy justice doom'd to die !" 

Keen was the blow ! 'twas unexpected fate, 
When he appear'd in dress of sable gloom ; 

Without returning in his former state, 

Was borne by friends unto his native home. 

Dry up your tears, and rend your hearts no more, 
For his departure from this barren strand : 

But weep for sin, and claim a brighter shore. 

Through Him, who bought for man fair Canaan's 
land. 



THE GOD OF THE TEMPEST. 

Great God ! thou ridest on the storm' — 
Thy hand the elements control ! 

Man's fearful soul thou dost alarm, 

When lightnings flash and thunders roll. 

Thou darkenest the heavens above, 
The clouds in terror do appear ! 

The wind is swifter than the dove. 

And strikes the heart of man with fear. 

Before its strength the mighty oak. 
And tenements of fame are driven; 

When God in wrath his word has spoke, 
All things before the blast are riven. 

The forest groans and then expires ! 

Man trembles at the awful scene. 
The kingly palace soon retires. 

And horror strikes the royal Queen. 



rice's poetry. 251 

Let man adore this mighty God ! 

That rules the tempest — governs all ; 
By doing thus, he saves the rod, 

While towers and mighty temples fall. 

His arm is great — he wields the whole ! 

Man 's but the dust beneath his feet ; 
But yet he saves the deathless soul. 

In mercy from his judgment seat. 



DESTRUCTION OF SODOM. 

It was a clear and brilliant morning, 
When Lot in haste from Sodom fled ! 

The Sun in lustre most adorning, 
Shone bright on man's devoted head. 

No signs appeared of swift destruction, 
By fire and brimstone from on high ; 

But soon God made an introduction, 
Pour'd out his wrath for man to die. 

The law of God, so often broken. 

Drew vengeance from the courts above j 

The Sodomites receiv'd the token ; 
'Twas judgment for offended love. 

Long God had warned that wicked people, 
To flee from his impending storm. 

But they in no wise turn'd from evil, 
But followed sin in every form. 

Thf imprecations of Jehovah 
Kain'd brimstone in terrific roar; 

The scene of death was quickly over, 
The Sodomites are here no more. 



252 rice's poetry. 

ACROSTIC ON LORENZO DOW. 

L...ORENZO Dow, bold servant of his God, 

0...'er land and sea did row against the tide ; 

R...ich with free grace, yet often felt the rod, 
E... scaped his foes, preached Jesus far and wide, 

N...ews of salvation moved his ravished heart, 
Z...ests from kind Heaven did his bosom swell, 

0...'er hill and dale he did God's truth impart, 
D...irected souls to flee the gates of hell. 

0...ver the world he like an angel flew, 

W...here sin and virtue mingled in their tra^n ; 

No Christian sect his ample spirit knew. 
But such as on the Gospel truth remain. 



GOD RULES THE OCEAN. 

Great God, from whose Almighty form, 
The oceans vast received their birth, 

Who ridest on the direful storm 

Which fills with fear the sons of earth. 

Thou did'st in wisdom bound the sea, 
The mighty ocean dost assuage; 

All honor to thy name shall be. 

Thou still'st the waves in all their rage. 

At midnight when the dismal roar 
And storms of thunder beat around, 

The breakers and the frightful shore 
In all their terrors do abound. » 



The mighty God who thus arose 
In direful wrath to threaten man, 

Can with his mercy interpose 

And check the ire he first began. 

The deep blue ocean he commands, 
Her waves are under his control ; 



V 



rice's poetry. 



253 



Adore him all ye heavenly bands, 
And bless him my immortal soul. 

Ye mariners that sail the deep. 
Look to Him as your polar star ; 

Amid all danger He can keep 

And save you from the ocean's war. 

Salvation to his name belongs, 
He is the sailor's only hope ; 

Unto his praise we '11 raise our songs, 
His arm can bear our spirits up. 

And if our grave must be the deep, 
And we beneath its billows roll, 

We '11 trust in God, he will us keep, 
And save the never-dying soui. 




ON THE DEATH OF MY DAUGHTER. 

Her sun arose in morning glories, 
And shone with lustre on her face ; 

Her sparkling eyes and cheeks like roses, 
Did her fair form with beauty grace. 

She was her father's richest treasure. 
The gem her mother did embrace ; 



254 eice's poetry. 

She fill'd her parents' hearts with pleasure, 
But soon Eliza run her race. 

Her sky was clear and most adorning, 
But suddenly the tempest fell, 

Which veil'd her sun while it was morning, 
And angels took her home to dwell. 

Disease came on in awful presage, 

Enstamp'd her features in deep gloom; 

The tyrant, death, receiv'd his message, 
Which bore the victim to the tomb. 

Her dying strife we '11 long remember, 
Her dismal groans yet strike our ears ; 

Death-rattles in our thoughts engender. 
And cause our sympathetic tears. 

Six fleeting years her course has ended. 
Now our Eliza sleeps in death ; — 

Our joys and sorrows oft are blended, 
When we reflect her dying breath. 

No more we '11 hear her salutation, 
Her voice by death has pass'd away j 

No more she '11 join in recreation. 
But tunes her harp in endless day. 

With her death groans have all departed, 
The ills of life she '11 fear no more ; 

Why then should we feel broken hearted, 
Or wish her on this mortal shore ? 

In brighter worlds I see her rising. 
Her spirit cloth'd in spotless white ; 

With saints above, in bliss surprising, 
She vies with angels in her flight. 

Now on the wings of endless glory 

She gathers fruit from Life's fair Tree, 

And ever tells her halcyon story, 
"Jesus, the Savior, died for me." 



bice's poetby. 255 



TO THE MEMORY OF DR. YOUNG. 

Great friend of man ! thy noble soul 
On matchless mercy oft did dwell ; 

Thy mental powers on themes did roll, 
Surpassing all that earth can tell. 

Thy intellect was fired with love, 

With sparkling gems in Heav'n born; 

Thy soul was harmless as the dove 
And brilliant as the fulgent morn. 

Thy moral darkness did retire. 

Which left thy spirit cloth'd in white ; 

The groans on Calvary did inspire 
Thy song will all the powers of light. 

The love of God who sent his Son 
To bleed and die for Adam's ban, 

Was the rich theme on which did run 
The spirit of this mighty man. 

Life, death, and immortality, 
Gave action to his giant soul — 

Those topics, boundless as the sea, 
Did all his powers of mind control. 

On things eternal he did soar, 

Enter'd the depths of Heaven and hell! 
Pointed the soul from whence did pour 

Sweet balm from King Emmanuel. 

But Edward Young is here no more — 
This friend of God has gone to rest ! 

Has anchor'd on the heavenly shore, 
And lives forever with the blest. 

Redemption is his glorious song, 
On this he dwelt while here below; 

He mingles with the blissful throng. 
Where fruits of life immortal grow. 



256 rice's poetry. 

His wearied soul shall never tire, 

Nor mingle with the shades of night ; 

But raptur'd with celestial fire 
Shall vie with angels in its flight. 

There, sailing round the Tree of Life, 

It gathers immortality ; 
There, free from every care and strife, 

Is wafted on a boundless sea. 

Long as eternity shall roll. 
His spirit shall its God adore ; 

And gold of Heav'n bedeck his soul, 
While dew-drops from his Savior pour. 

All tears are driven from his eyes, 
His baneful enemies have fled ; 

He ranges through the upper skies 
In triumph o'er the wicked dead. 




THE SAILOR BOY. 

'TwAs when I cross'd the trackless ocean, 

I left my mother far away. 
Her heart was full of deep commotion, 

Besought her Boy with her to stay. 

I would not hear her kind instruction, 

I trifled as she did bemoan. 
She plead with me in deep compunction, 

But, ah ! I stifled every groan. 

I spurn'd her kindest admonition, 
I thought my way was best of all ; 



rice's poetry. £57 

But soon I found my sad position, 
Was lonesome as the dungeon hall. 

The blue waves rose in deep commotion, 
And terror seiz'd me ev'ry breath ; 

I found sad ploughing on the ocean, 
And ev'ry hour expected death. 

My mother for me oft was praying, 
That God would save her absent Boy ; 

My Heavenly Father was displaying 
Those motives that should end in joy. 

I soon began to cast reflection 

Upon my mother's cries and tears ; 

I look'd to God and found protection, 
Which gave me joys amidst my fears. 

The prayer of faith shall never slumber, 
' Tis heard in the Almighty's ear, 

And by its blessings without number 
Dry up the penitential tear. 



TO THE MEMORY OF ROBERT POLLOK. 

Behold the servant of the Lord, 

Endowed with holy fire ; 
With rapture dwelt upon God's word j 

Which tuned his sacred lyre. 

He trod the Avorld beneath his feet. 

And like an eagle soared j 
And bowed before the mercy seat, 

Where living waters poured. 

The Course of Time had fired his soul, 

To dwell on things above ; 
And nothing earthly could control 

The passions of his love. 



17 



258 kick's poetry. 

The joys of Heaven and pains of hell, 

Absorb'd his giant mind ; 
No mortal tongue can ever tell, 

How much he loved mankind. 

His time was short on earth to preach. 
Those treasures bought by grace ; 

Yet long his worthy song shall teach, 
The sons of Adam's race. 

And while his deathless soul shall sing, 

The anthem of the skies, 
His Course of Time shall lend her wing. 

And help mankind to rise. 



ACROSTIC ON SIR ISAAC NEWTON. 

I...NDULGENT genius ! thou didst heaven explore, 
S...earched by thy mind the shining stars on high ; 

A.. .mazing flight ! by knowledge thou didst soar 
A...bove the line where sages could not fly. 

C.elestial grandeur bore thy thoughts away; 

N...ew worlds invoked thy astrologic lore ; 
E...ternal Wisdom led thee to survey 

W...here man's weak pinions never soared before. 

T...hy name shall live as long as mountains last, 
0...r waters to their destined oceans run ; 

N...ew light shall fire thee at the trumpet's blast. 
When stars shall fall and darkness veil the sun. 



MY MOTHER'S EXIT. 

Farem^ell, my Mother ! thou hast gone 
Unto the mansion of the dead, 

And left thy earthly friends forlorn. 
To mourn a kindred spirit fled. 



rice's poetry. 259 

But let these eyes of mine be dry, 

My loss is her immortal gain ; 
She ranges through the far ofi'sky, 

Is free from ev'ry care and pain. 

The ills of life no more inspire 

Her grief-worn heart with pain and woe, 
Her dying groans in haste retire, 

Her tears of grief have ceased to flow. 

Her mortal frame in death's embrace, 
Must sleep until the judgment day, 

And then behold her Savior's face, 

Where cares and pain have passed away. 

Oft shall my heart recall to mind, 
Her friendship lo her kindred dear; 

That kindness which her soul did bind 
To me through every grief and fear. 

When ills inspired my infant years. 
And drove the joys of youth away. 

Her calming voice dried up my tears, 
And bid me look to God and pray. 

Her ears were open to my cry, 

When sickness did me long confine ; 

Her smiles oft cheered my gloomy sky, 
When pain did round my heart entwine. 

Ah ! that kind voice I '11 hear no more. 
Nor see those eyes oft drowned in tears. 

Nor view those hands which burdens bore 
To ease my pain and quell my fears. 

But lo ! in fairer worlds above, 

Her spirit shares a rich reward, 
And wears a crown of spotless love. 

Once purchased by her dying Lord. 

There from those clear and lasting streams. 
That flowed from her Redeemer's side. 



260 kick's poetry. 

She dwells in mercy's richest beams, 
And sails on Heaven's purest tide. 

In that bright world no waves shall roll 
In midnight darkness round her head. 

No pain inspire her raptured soul, 
Since from its mortal prison fled. 

God ! prepare me soon to meet 
My Mother in that land of rest ; 

To cast my crown at Jesus' feet, 
And ever mingle Avith the blest. 

No sorrows there shall vex my soul, 
Or scourge it with an earthly cell. 

But golden waves shall round me roll, 
While devils wail their loss in hell. 

There saints and angels on the wing. 
Shall sail around the Father's Son, 

And in their brilliant flight shall sing, 
That blood-bought song on Calv'ry won. 



CHRIST'S AGONY IN THE GARDEN. 

'Tis midnight ! and my Lord retires, 

And in the garden prays alone ; 
His soul is fraught with vast desires. 

His pond'rous load can sin atone. 

'Tis midnight ! and the Father's Son, 
Amid the gloomy scenes of night. 

Falls down and cries, " Thy will be done, 
Thou King of kings, thou God of light." 

T 'is midnight ! and his chosen few, 
To watch his grief — behold his tears— 

At this dark hour dare not pursue i 

Their Master in his midnight fears. j 

' Tis midnight ! and the bloody sweat. 

Pressed from the Savior stains the ground ; 



rice's poetey. 261 

His eyes with grief-worn tears are wet, 
While darkness spreads its gloom around. 

' Tis midnight ! and the angel flies, 

Endowed with power to cheer the Word, 

Strengthens the Savior ere he dies. 
And gives for man his precious blood. 

' Tis midnight ! and a wicked band 
Of Jews now seek the Son of Godj 

The traitor stretches forth his hand, 
And with a kiss betrays his Lord. 

'Tis midnight ! but the morning sun, 

In all his grandeur shall arise, 
To see the boon of Calvary won. 

And man made welcome to the skies. 

' Tis midnight ! but our God and King 
Shall triumph o'er the marble tomb ! 

That he may his salvation bring, 
And save us from lost angels' doom ; 



ADDRESS TO THE YOUTH. 

" Young people all attention give," 
While I the word of God proclaim ; 

Ye who in vile oflfences live. 

Let Gospel truth your souls inflame. 

I 've sought for earth's expiring toys, 
And ranged the giddy scenes of vice, 

But never found unfading joys. 
Until I sought God's paradise. 

King Jesus spoke my sins forgiven, 
And washed my guilty stains away. 

Inspired me with the hope of Heaven, 
And led me in the narrow way. 

And now with gloomy thoughts I view 
The lake of fire beneath you roil ; 



1 

4 



26^ rice's poktrt. 

For waves of darkness wait for you ; 
Who slight the Savior of the soul. 

Youth as the morn will soon be gone, 
By fleeting years or blasting death; 

Your morning sun may set forlorn, 
And you in haste resign your breath. 

Your piercing eyes and ruby cheeks 
Shall falter like the stricken rose ; 

The dreary grave and winding sheet 
Will soon your mortal limbs enclose. 

Ye blooming Youth! why will ye stroll? 

The gaping tomb must be your bed, 
And clouds of midnight round you roll, 

While sleeping with the silent dead. 

Your friends shall view the dismal place, 
And with deep sighs move slow along, 

Reflecting on that lovely face, 

No more to meet the living throng. 

But lo the soul ! where justice reigns ! 

It sinks in hell's eternal cries ! 
It raves amid the burning flames, 

Where the afl[righted spirit dies ! 

There bound by death's immortal chain. 
Where demons rage in seas of fire I 

To mourn and feel the sinner's pain, 
Confirmed by God's eternal ire ! 

Ye blood-bought Youth, this is the doom 
Of all who do God's grace refuse; 

And soon with you there '11 be no room 
With saints above a crown to choose. 

Come lay your mortal weapons by. 
No longer fight against the Lord, 

But with his mercy now comply, 

" And Heaven shall be your great reward." 



bice's poetry. 263 



ADAM'S FALL AND RESTORATION. 

When I reflect upon that scene, 
When man in deep pollution fell, 

The clouds of midnight intervene, 
And waves roll o'er me dark as hell. 

In that dread moment all was lost ! 

Mankind were bound in doleful chains! 
Their ruined barques by sin were tost, 

To founder on lost Eden's plains. 

In haste the vile intruders fled, 

Were forced to leave their Paradise ; 

God's sacred law pronounced them dead, 
To all that's graceful, good, or wise. 

The curse rolls on in plaintive strains ; 

Deep gloom enshrouds lost Adam's racej 
The fatal treason yet remains. 

And stamps the soul with deep disgrace. 

Diseases spread in ev'ry form, 

And chill the vital streams of life j 

We live amid the raging storm 
Of human nature's dying strife. 

Pain in succession follows pain ; 

Man's couch is often wet with tears ; 
The waves of death in triumph reign, 

And fill the world with groans and fears. 

Lost Eden ! 'tis for thee I mourn ! 

But mourn in vain thy kind return j— 
My wicked heart must here be torn, 

And in affliction's furnace burn. 

The law provides no help for man ; 

By it the sinner's doom is sure ; 
But hail my soul ! salvation's plan ! 

This will eternal life secure. 



:3§4 kick's poetey. 

This will destroy the chains of sin, 
And set the crimsoned victim free; 

This will empower the soul to win 
God's favor, on life's raging sea. 

And when the scenes of time shall pass, 
And dust again to dust return ; 

The soul shall range the sea of glass, 
And in eternal glory burn. 

Jesus has borne that awful scourge. 
Which doomed a sinful world to hell; 

And rescued man when on the verge 
Of the dark pit where demons dwell. 

He bore the terrors of the law, 

When on the cross of Calv'ry bound ; 

That man may free salvation draw, 
And in God's Paradise be found. 



THE DYING CHRISTIAN. 

I gazed upon the bed, 

Where God's young servant lay ; 
His brilliant hope of earth had fled. 

And cheerless was its ray. 

Bright was his youthful brow, 
While in death's fearful hour; 

And clear that mind God did endow, 
By his almighty power. 

Disease had sunk his frame ; — 

Wasted and pale he lay ; 
Yet on his pallid oheer there came 

A sign of endless day. 

No pain obscured the light. 
That filled his brilliant eye ; — 

Within the veil faith took her flight. 
Where gems can never die. 



SICE S POETRY. 265 

With what a look of bliss, 

And sweet enchanting voice, 
He said, " How lovely Jesus is ! 

He is my only choice." 

" No cloud sets on my mind, 

As I approach the goal ; 
Soon I shall over Jordan find 

The treasures of my soul." 

Then like a gentle dove, 

His eyes he closed in sleep ; 
But soon awoke, — -expressing love, 

Saying, " Why do you weep ?'* 

" Salvation ! sing, ! sing 

That lovely song once more, 
Before I spread my spirit wing 

To light on Canaan's shore." 

' Twas sung — a prayer was made- 
Then passed the sad farewell, 

While Jesus had his chariot stayed, 
To take him home to dwell. 

He 's gone to shout on high. 

To join the angel band, 
Where saints of God shall never die, 

Nor give the parting hand. 

O, may I meet him there, 

When I on earth shall fail ; 
And in Christ's kingdom have a share, 

Beyond deep Jordan's vale. 



ACROSTIC FOR A BROTHER. 

J...UST have thy afflictions been ! 

E...arth has prov'd a solemn place ; 
R... aging waves and grief by sin, 

0...ft have veil'd thy mourning face. 



« 



266 kick's poetry. 

M...uch hast thou endur'd on earth; 

E...vil illness racks thy frame ! 
H...elp for thee has found no birth; — 

R.,.ead and bless thy Savior's name. 

I...n the courts where angels dwell, 
C.omfort may inspire thy soul; 

E...arth thy sickness can't expel ! 
Life thy spirit may control. 



PRAYER IN SICKNESS. 

Father, send thy kind angel down, 
And cheer this midnight gloom ; 

0, send him now before I pass 
The silence of the tomb. 

I lie upon my pillow pale, 

And in my sleep bemoan ; 
And when I wake, my spirit's wail 

Is felt in ev'ry groan. 

My days of joy have passed away, 
And pain destroys my frame ; 

The fever blast in dread array 
Sends forth its burning flame. 

No help for me in man is found,— 

Too short his finite arm ; 
let thy healing grace abound, 

And hush my dread alarm. 

Restore this frame to health once more) 

Dispel the raging tide ; 
Let that rich balm upon me pour, 

That flowed from Jesus' side. 

Send down thy Holy Spirit now ! 

My soul and body heal ; 
Once more receive my sacred vow, 

And thy rich love reveal. 



rice's poetry. 

Then my glad heart will loud proclaim 
Thy grace while here below ; 

And glorify thy worthy name, 
Which did such mercy show. 

And when my spirit shall no more 
In this frail barque remain, 

I '11 land upon some distant shore, 
And with my Savior reign. 



267 




THE LAND OF THE FREE. 

America ! thrice happy land ! 

Her banners float from shore to shore ; 
The blue Atlantic chafes her strand, 

While waves of broad Pacific roar. 

Nurtured by her prolific breasts, 
Unnumbered pleasures daily rise; 

They shine in nature's brilliant dress, 
And prove to be earth's paradise. 

Vast prairies crowned, like seas of gold, 
Lit up by sunbeams, roll afar; 

And silver lakes her skies behold. 
Reflecting light from ev'ry star. 

Her flowing rivers, mountain-born, 
Descend in channels dark and deep, 

Through dreary forests, where the fawn 
Does often from his covert leap. 



268 eice's poetry. 

Diversified, with vales and hills, 
Laden with fruit on ev'ry side, 

Her joys abound, and music fills 
Her floating zephyrs as they glide. 

Her plenty crowns each passing year ; 

Her ample harvests deck the land ; 
Her worthy sons forestall no fear. 

Though tyrants prowl with hireling band. 

Father ! we thank thee for this home. 
Where sons and daughters may be free ; 

Where strangers from afar may come, 
And hail this land of Liberty. 

Upon her standard place thy seal ; 

Let hamlets grow and cities rise ; 
Give nations yet unborn to feel 

The glories of her paradise. 

On her kind angels look with joy 
To see the heathen fetters break, 

And hostile chains no more destroy 
The choice of faith for Jesus' sake. 

The Gospel banner here shall rise. 

And spread her wings by freedom's voice, 

While man 's made welcome to the skies. 
Nor suffers death because of choice. 



ACROSTIC ON EDWARD D. GRIFFIN. 

E...TERNAL wisdom did inspire thy soul ; — 
D...eputed angels were thy guards below : 

W...orthy that grace which did thy mind control, 
A,..nd led thee on where living waters flow. 

R...edemption was the subject of thy theme, 

D...escending through the medium of the cross ! 

D...issolved in love thy cheerful eyes did beam ; 
G...ave up the world, and prized it all but dross. 



RICE S POETKY. 269 

R... evolving orbs invoked thy giant lore ; — 
I...mmortal subjects did thy bosom swell ; 

F...ervent thy search for gems on Zion's shore ; — 
F... lying for mansions where the angels dwell. 

I...nfinite moment pressed thy pious heart ; — 

N...ew light from Heaven bore thy thoughts on 
high : 
Near seventy years God did to thee impart, 

Then called thee home where saints shall never 
die. 

PERILS OF THE OCEAN. 

While on the dark and dreary ocean, 
The sailor's heart is struck with fear ; 

The waves arise in great commotion. 
And draw from him the pensive tear. 

The winds blow high, the thunder's roaring, 
And fork'd lightnings rend the air, 

The sailor on his knees imploring 
His God to save him from despair. 

High o'er the deck the rolling surges 
And mountain waves with dismal foam, 

Raise from the crew their mournful dirges. 
Compel the strongest heart to mourn. 

But when the wrath of God assuages 
And saves the sailor from the storm. 

His wicked heart in madness rages, 
And curses God in ev'ry form. 

He soon forgets his grief and terrors, 
Which cloth'd his soul in robes of night. 

Returns again to all his errors, 

And spurns that God who gives him light. 

His harden'd heart, once rais'd from slumber 
By threaten'd danger from the wave. 

Has curs'd the Lord, times without number, 
And soon must die a wicked slave. 



270 rice's poetry. \ 

THE FRANTIC LOVER IN SEARCH OF A 
WIFE. 

I heard a voice from God descend, 
" Not good for man to dwell alone ;" 

With mercy's hand he made a friend, 
And then his noblest work was done. 

Since Heaven has thus designed for me 
The fairest jewel earth can boast ; 

Why then the graceful virgin flee, 

And shun the gem that charms me most ? 

I can no longer be unwise. 

And spurn the choicest gift to man ; 

In haste I '11 seek the matchless prize, 
And win some lady, if I can. 

To use no guile, I will relate 

What I possess of treasures here ; 

My form and features truly state ; 
My character will strive to clear, 

My wealth it is six thousand pounds ; 

My stature comely — somewhat tall ; 
My hair with raven curls abounds ; 

My eyes are sparkling, black and small. 

My features blooming as the rose ; 

Complexion ruby, white and fair, 
And from my head down to my toes, 

A graceful form of beauty rare. 

I fancy that I 've scaled the mount 
Of wisdom and immortal fame ; 

Have drawn from education's fount 
A brilliant orator by name. 

As for a poet, you may see 

What wonders my deep skill has wrought ; 
Truly there can but seldom be 

One like me ever found, if sought. 



rice's poetry. 271 

My character is white as snow ; 

My flag- it waves in high renown ; 
No one at me e'er struck the blow, 

Destined to bring- my glory down. 

If any damsel in the land, 

Is blest with wealth and gifts so kind, 
I would invite her gentle hand» 

And also freely give her mine. 



ACROSTIC ON ELIPHALET NOTT. 

E...TERNAL prospects light thee with a flame ; — 
L...ove draws thy thoughts above this vale of 
tears ; — 

I...mmortal thirstings grasp thy Savior's name, 
P...repares thy soul to rise above her fears. 

H...old up the sceptre, it is red with blood, 

A... fount of blood that flowed from Jesus' side ! 

L...ook to that ensign through the crimsoned flood, 
E... merge from darkness, and to glory ride. 

T...he frosts of winter bleach thy manly brow; — 
N...ews for the grave does bear thee fast along ! 

0, ...man of God ! let grace thy soul endow, 
' T...ill thou shall meet above in Zion's throng. 

T...emples of gold will soon avail thee not, 
Or all the diamonds of the desert strand: 

Thy soul through nr^ercy claims a better lot, 
' Tis God's salvation with the heavenly band. 



EPITAPH. 

Reader, as you pass by my tomb. 

The voice of Death invites your ear; 
Which silently proclaims your doom, 

And warns you to the Judge appear. 



i 



27s rice's poetry. 

Enraptured with a Savior's love, ■ j 

The deathless soul can pass the vale ; 

Inspired with hope of joys above, 
She bids defiance to the gale. 



GOD'S OMNISCIENCE. 

Almighty God ! thy piercing eye. 
By wisdom deep all things survey ; 

The dust of earth, and worlds on high, 
Thou seest through thy eternal day. 

What cavern deep, what distant clime 
Shall I beyond thy reach pursue ? 

What dark recess, what mount sublime 
Shall keep me from thy boundless view ? 

If I should take my upward flight, 

And to angelic mansions rise ; 
Thy presence there would veil my sight, 

And fill my heart with sad surprise. 

Thou art the wonder of my soul. 

Thy name my conscious pow'rs adore ; 

Thy knowledge does all worlds control, 
Thy sight the universe explore. 

Thy breath inspires this mortal frame, 
It runs through ev'ry vein of life ; 

Endows my soul with living flame. 
To soar above this dying strife. 

To Thee, by whom all things were made, 
Whose gracious smile is heav'n below, 

Whose matchless glory ne'er shall fade. 
My grateful strains in love shall flow. 



rice's poetry. 273 

HYMN OF PRAISE, 

Jehovah decks his awful throne ! 

Before his face all nations bow; 
He is our God and he alone ; 

To Him we pledge our sacred vow. 

By his right arm all things were made ; 

He touched the clay and man arose ; 
And when we from his precept strayed, 

He sent his Son to interpose. 

We '11 crowd thy gates dear Son of God, 
With grateful songs our voices raise ; 

And when we feel affliction's rod, 
Thou art the object of our Praise. 

Thy dreadful mandate has no bounds, 

All nature feels thy plastic arm ; 
Through earth and hell thy name resounds 

Thy foes to curse, — thy saints to charm. 

Did we ten thousand tongues possess. 
Dear Lord they should thy name revere ; 

By prayer would thy rich throne address , 
And bring thy gracious promise near. 

THE ONLY TRUE GOD. 

Almighty God ! the great first cause 
Of all we see, and worlds unknown; 

Nature obeys thy perfect laws, 
And man depends on Thee alone. 

Thy being uncreated stands. 

Of thy own power thou art possessed; 
No one controls thy vast commands. — 

From nature's fountain thou art blest. 

Thy plastic voice our being gave, 
To Thee our utmost praise belongs ; 
18 



274 KICfi's POETRY. 

No other gods have power to save, 
None worthy of our grateful songs. 

Father our hope shall rest in Thee, 
Thou art the source of peace and joy; 

Through faith we thy salvation see. 
Thy glory shall our tongues employ. 

All honor to thy name is due. 

Our thanks to Thee alone we give i 

Thy precepts are both just and true, 
And teach our spirits how to live. 

From thy eternal fountain send 
Renewing grace to make us free ; 

And when the scenes of time shall end, 
We shall thy glorious presence see. 



"SHALL THE SWORD DEVOUR FOREVER?" 

Strict justice guards the Son of God, — 
Resplendent glory veils his face ; 

We feel the scourges of his rod, 

And bow before his throne of grace. 

Let thy support in ancient j'-ears 
Confirm our trust, our hope sustain ; 

Let grace divine expel our fears. 
Our urgent prayer thy favor gain. 

Break down the raging warrior's heart, 
And stamp thy peace in mercy there ; 

To ev'ry council love impart, 

Let them thy fount of wisdom share. 

when shall time's swift pinions tell 
That war's destructive rage is o'er ? 

When hostile foes inspired with hell 
Shall spill each others blood no more ? 

Dear Savior let thy kingdom come, 
Let saving grace the heart renew ; 



niCE's POETRY. S!f$ 

Convert the hostile deaf and dumb, 
And they will paths of peace pursue. 

Then shall the Gospel's balmy wing 

In peace its joyful lustre spread ; 
To bleeding hearts its treasures bring, 

To all mankind its mercy shed. 



DECISION OF THE JUDGE. 

Jesus the Lord of glory reigns, 

Let ev'ry saint in rapture tell ; 
Tune all their harps in highest strains, 

For he has conquered death and hell. 

His counsels are by man unknown, 

His throne sustained by truth and grace ; 

He claims all nature for his own, 

And through it shines his smiling face. 

In robes judgment he shall come. 

The touibs shall burst, — the earth shall quake 1 
His ransomed flock he' 11 gather home, 

Where they his fruits of life partake. 

His foes shall flee in sore dismay 

When they behold his angry face, 
Their guilty souls will pass away 

To mourn in pain and deep disgrace. 

No more shall tears of mercy fall. 

No more shall pardon greet their ears ; 

No more the blood of Jesus call, 
No more his voice dispel their fears. 

'Tis midnight and the spirit's wail 

Is heard through all the depths of hellj 

While saints of God their Savior hail, 
In higher courts where angels dwell. 



276 kick's poetry. 

SALVATION BY THE GOSPEL. 

O praise the Lord, ye distant lands, 

Ye tribes of ev'ry name ; 
His saving grace your love demands, 

His groans your homage claim. 

Say to all nations Jesus' blood 
Was spilt their souls to save ; 

Beneath his cross sin's rapid flood 
Sinks in the gaping grave. 

Let angel harps the news proclaim 
Throughout the courts of God ; 

From thence declare on earth's domain, 
Jesus the w^inepress trod. 

Let ev'ry island of the sea 
Rejoice the news to hear ; 

Let sinners to the refuge flee, 
And cast away their fear. 

Ye vallies rise, and mountains sink, 
Make straight the crooked way : 

Ho all the world the waters drink. 
And live in endless day. 

Blest are the souls that hear and know 
This notice God has given, 

Peace shall attend them here below, 
And crowns of life in Heaven. 



JESUS, OUR HOPE IN AFFLICTION. 

When death the pale monster was near. 
No mortal my strength could restore ; 

My Lord did in mercy appear, 
His grace in my bosom to pour. 

His all-cheering presence dispels 

The prospect of death's gloomy night ; 



rice's poetry. 277 

In the heart of the mourner He dwells, 
And turns all his darkness to light, 

He has my lost comfort restored, 

His favor has soothed all my woes ; • 

His name shall be ever adored, 

For in him alone is repose. 

What thanks to my Savior I owe 
For mercy received from his hand ? 

From him my salvation does flow. 
By him in his Zion I stand. 

Dear Lord be a lamp to my feet, 
And make my heart perfect in thee, 

That I in thy kingdom may greet 
The millions in Heaven made free. 

And when I must lay down this clay, 

And dust unto dust shall return, 
I '11 bask in the regions of day, 

In raptures of glory to burn. 



A MORNING HYMN. 

While I in sleeps's oblivion laid, 
I fearless pass the gloom of night, 

'Till morning sun dispels the shade, 
And fills me with his cheering light. 

Through faith I glory in God's name, 
He makes my soul rejoice to be ; 

My conscious spirit spreads his fame. 
And rushes forth his face to see. 

Direct me Lord through this dark maze. 
My wand'ring feet are made to tread ; 

Let Gospel light around me blaze 

When shades of midnight veil my head* 



278 rice's poetry. 

A darker night shall soon appear, 

And bind me in a pulseless sleep; 
In that dread hour dispel my fear, 

Nor let m)'^ troubled spirit weep. 

» 

But soon those shades will pass away, 
That night shall fail my soul to bind; 

Through grace she '11 wing eternal day, 
And leave her sleeping dust behind. 

Nor shall her dust forever sleep, 

The trump of God the tomb shall rend; 

The mortal clay no more shall weep. 
But with the soul in glory blend. 



AN EVENING HYMN. 

To God my evening praise shall be, 
His gracious arm my life defends ; 

My soul shall to his refuge flee, 

And feel those blessings which he sends. 

He has my sinful life prolonged, 

And saved me when the grave was near; 
When foes to grace around me thronged, 

He braved my spirit not to fear. 

I now recline my head to rest. 
And in his saving truth confide ; 

Both night and dr.y he has me blest, 
By virtue of the Crucified. 

Dear Lord, thy vision on me keep, 

While gloom of midnight veils my head { 

And when in nature's balmy sleep 
Let some kind angel guard my bed. 

Faith in thy name my spirit cheers ;— 

Be thou my Savior ever nigh 
To wipe away my falling tears. 

And bear me up to thee on high. 



rice's poetry. 279 

And when the awful night shall come, 
When du.-t shall back to dust return, 

Thy arms of love shall bear me home, 
Where I shall full salvation learn. 



GOD MY REFUGE IN DISTRESS. 

Lord bow my stubcorn will to thee, 
That I no longer may complain ; 

From all pollution set me free, 
And break my melancholy chain. 

When sickness shakes my mortal frame, 
And disappointments rend my heart. 

When sins oppress my soul with shame, 
O Lord, thy healing grace impart. 

When want inflames my troubled breast, 
And weeping children cry for bread, 

I will in God's salvation rest, 

For he can raise my drooping head. 

When hypocrites my soul deceive. 
And lead me in the gloom of night. 

My wounded spirit soon shall grieve, 
And press into the Gospel light. 

When I lay on the bed of death, 
And hasten to the gaping tomb, 

Through faith in God I '11 yield my breath, 
With resignation meet my doom. 

And when my flesh descends the grave, 
Death shall no more my peace destroy; 

Sustaining grace my soul shall save. 
And bear it home to worlds of joy. 



290 bice's poetry. 

NO REST ON EARTH. 

Man rag-es with a restless fire, 
His soul is moved with vast desire ; 
On things of time his passions fly^ 
Where his departing treasures lie. 

No gems of earth can bind the soul, 
No fading charms her powers control ; 
She bursts her chains, and takes her flight 
To feast among the stars of lig^ht. 

In raging fever's mortal reign, 
The patients seek relief in vain ; 
For rest they turn from side to side, 
But still remains the burning tide. 

So man's immortal soul shall bum. 
From object unto object turn; 
And nothing satisfy his mind 
'Till he eternal life shall find. 

Father subdue our vicious thirst, 
And let these transient bubbles burst; 
Bear us above earth's fading toys 
In prospect of eternal joys. 

And when our spirits take their flight. 
And leave the scenes of vain delight ; 
May they the land of rest explore. 
And slake their thirst on Zion's shore. 



THE GRAVE. 

How peaceful is the silent grave. 
Where cares of life are o'er ? 

A sacred shrine our dust to save, 
* Till time shall be no more. 

The wicked there from envy cease. 
Their rage by death is fled ; 



kice's poetrv. 281 

The Christian's dust shall rest in peace, 
Soft be his sleeping bed. 

There pris'ners all shall take their rest, 

Released from slav'ry's chain ; 
No more in loathsome cells be prest. 

And grieve a tyrant's reign. 

The servants and their masters meet 

To share the same repose ; 
Their hearts in wrath no longer beat, 

No envy can disclose. 

The rich and poor have gone to sleep. 

No food they longer need ; 
The warriors have no eyes to weep, 

For reptiles on them feed. 

All leveled by the hand of death, 
They meet one common doom ; 

And rest ' till God's reviving breath 
Shall raise them from the tomb. 



PRAYER FOR SALVATION. 

Thou Son of God remember me, 
And wash my guilty stains away ; 

Thy soul endured my agony, 

When in the garden thou didst pray. 

Thy dreadful pangs and bloody sweat, 
Sunk Thee beneath thy Father's rod ; 

That midnight hour shall not forget; 
To tell the vengeance of thy God. 

Thou didst the bloody winepress tread, 
To set my guilty spirit free ; 

And burst the mansion of the dead, 
That I might crowns of glory see. 

Savior, I call upon thy name, 

Regard my fainting heart's desire ; 



282 rice's poETRy. 

Remove my load of guilt and shame, 
Or I must ia my sins expire. 

To Thee I bring my weeping heart, 
While chains of death my spirit bind;- 

The tyrant with uplifted dart 

Draws near, and hell is just behind. 

I tremble at the second death, 

That endless punishment by Thee; 

Restore me by thy quick'ning breath, 
And set my troubled spirit free. 



THE MOURNER'S PETITION. 

Show pity Lord, my sins forgive, 

Nor let a mourning rebel die ; 
On thy rich banquet let me live, 

And slake my thirst from springs on high. 

The power and glory of thy grace 

Can all my sinful crimes subdue ; I 

Let love divine my soul embrace, \ 

That I may wisdom's path pursue. 

Now set my guilty conscience free. 
And wash my soul from all her stain; 

Let me thy dying anguish see, 

When Thou wast for my spirit slain. ; 

My lips with shame confess my sin. 
Which spurned the favors of thy face; 

Come now in my poor heart begin 
The work of thy subduing grace. 

Should vengeance seize my vital breath, 
And send me to the deepest hell, i 

Thy justice would be felt in death. 
Thy sacred law confirm it well. 



rice's poetry. 283 

Yet Lord a weepino^ sinner save, 
Let mercy bind liis bleeding heart; 

Save from the dying spirit's grave, 
Thy everlasting love impart. 



GOD SEEN IN THE OCEANS. 

Eternal God ! thy plastic voice 
Makes all the troubled waters roar; 

The monsters of the deep rejoice, 
In nature's notes thy name adore. 

The softest word of thy command, 
In haste can calm the raging wave; 

Ships are supported by thy hand. 

When they the dreadful tempest brave. 

The scaly tribes that swim the deep, 
The wisdom of their God declare; 

The Oceans' swelling waters keep 
Their beds, and slake the thirsty air. 

These fountains are a yawning grave, 
In them unnumbered millions lie; 

*Tis God who first their being gave, 
And his own voice can speak them dry. 

On their broad bosoms sailors rage, 

While ploughing for some distant shore; 

To curse the Lord they oft engage, 

While waves of death around them roar. 

My soul awake to wisdom's voice. 
For oceans deep give God the praise; 

By them we claim our better choice 
Of traffic, which all nations raise. 



284 kick's poetry. ] 

THE SINNER'S PRAYER FOR SALVATION. 

I am a wanderer from God, 

Always inclined to go astray ; 
Fearless of his uplifted rod, 

Spurning the crown of endless day. 

When shall my stubborn heart relent, 
And feci its wicked reign no more ? 

When shall my dying soul repent, 
And on faith's cheering pinions soar? 

I wander far away from Heaven, 

And love to seek earth's vain delight ; 

The word of life my Lord has given 
Meets no approval in my sight. 

Dekr Savior, let thy spirit fall. 

And cause my stony heart to sigh; 

Break down sin's separating wall, 
And let me find salvation nigh. 

Methinks my heart begins to feel ; — 
My soul desires God's love to know ;— 

My stubborn spirit, once like steel. 
Bewails, and sheds her tears of woe. 

Father, now let thy grace appear, 
Through Jesus wash my guilt away; 

And my immortal soul shall steer 
To mansions of eternal day. 

0, take me from the road to hell. 
And lead me to thy courts above, 

That I may in thy kingdom dwell. 
And feel the presence of thy love. 

Then shall my spirit be at rest ; 

By blood divine from sin made free; 
Then shall I mingle with the blest. 

That gather fruit from Life's fair Tree. 



rice's poetry. 
ATHEISM CONFUTED. 

«* The fool hath said in his heart there is no God." 

No God ! no God ! the Skeptic cries, 
No plastic Sire enthroned above ; 

No hand that spread the vaulted skies, 
No Potentate mankind to love. 

This earth by chance from chaos rose 
When first she made a wond'rous birth; 

Her power creative did compose 
The glorious workmanship of earth. 

By chance we see both man and beast 
Pursue their course o'er hill and dale ; 

The grey-eyed fish on fish to feast, 

And swift-winged birds the heavens sail. 

Stop, Atheist, stop, thy faith is vain ! 

Thy treason dares the Father's Son ; 
A God shall on his throne remain. 

And justice speak his will be done. 

The starry worlds efface thy plan, 

And all creation drop a tear, 
And mourn to think the soul of man 

Is bound in unbelief to steer. 

Still more than this, the final sigh 
Of God the Savior on the cross. 

Gives notice that thy soul must die. 
If thou dost count that sigh but dross. 

The heathen Sage put forth his cries, 
When darkness over Salem spread, 

" Truly the God of nature dies :" 
Yet thy proud heart by sin is dead. 

Read in the book of nature, read 
Thy judge exalted on his throne; 

Make peace with him in time of need, 
And all his glory thou shalt own. 



4i 



RICE S POETRY. 

Why play the fool in life's short hour, 
Wiih darts of envy sting thy soul ? 

Why spurn from thee the Savior's power, 
Which can thy faithless heart control? 

No God ! no God ! O cease to throw 
This arrow dipt in blackest dye, 

Which spreads damnation here below, 
And binds the soul where demons sigh. 

The lighl'ning chains that rend the skies, 

The thunder with terrific roar, 
And starry worlds with sparkling eyes 

Combine their Maker to adore. 

Vesuvius with gushing fire, 

The sun that gilds this opaque ball. 

And man inspired with vast desire 
Declare a God rules over all. 

The waters of the mighty deep, 

The foaming surge and crested wave. 

And beasts that o'er the forests leap 
Proclaim a God ! a God to save. 

But brighter proof to man is given 
Than all we read in nature's book, 

*Tis Gospel light which came from Heaven 
When God the Jewish Temple shook. 

What voice was that, which burst the grave. 
Where death had bound the sacred dust? 

'Twas His, whose pow'r alone can save 
All men committed to his trust. 

What name was that, which devils fear, 
By which they from the maniac fled ? 

'Twas His, who brought redemption near, — 
Whose trump shall wake the sleeping dead. 

All hail ! let earth's vast legions cry. 
In honor to this living God ! 



rice's poetry. 287 

Let Infidels to Jesus fly 

And save the scourges of his rod. 

Then shall they feel his saving grace, 
And know the virtue of his blood ; 

By faith behold his smiling face, 
And rise above sin's raging flood. 



SPURN NOT THE SINNER. 

Spurn not the Sinner ! in whose heart 

The dregs of poison dwell, 
Although be from God's law depart, 

And bends his course to hell. 

O, scorn him not ! but spare his soul. 

Unless thy piercing eye 
Survey like his, whose hands control 

Revolving worlds on high. 

His road is dark ! it leads to death t 

His feet are stained with sin ; 
He spreads contagion with his breath. 

And sees no Heaven to win. 

Yet spurn him not ! for if thy heart 

Is free from all her stain, 
Thy Savior did this gift impart 

When he for sin was slain. 

Let tears of grief for sinners fall, — 

Invite them home to God, 
That they may scale Mount Zion's wall, 

And shun Jehovah's rod. 

Impart thy love ! their souls were bought 

With richer love than thine, 
When Christ the groans of Calvary sought. 

And gave his life divine. 



S^ rice's foetrt. 

• If thou art free, 'tis mercy's voice 
That spoke thy sins forgiven ; 
Then urge the sinner's better choice, 
To take a seat in Heaven. 

In words of kindness to him tell, 

To shun the fatal place, 
Where wicked men in darkness dwell 

To sin with high disgrace. 



" CHARITY." 

Though I with tongues of angels speak, 

And prophecy inspire my soul ; 
If void of Charity I 'm weak ; — 

No saving grace my powers control. 

Though my strong faith would mountains move. 
And rivers from their fountains dry, 

All this would not my sins remove. 
Nor make me meet for God on high. 

Though I impart my flesh to burn, 
And give my goods to feed the poor j 

From all these gifts I cannot learn 
My soul's salvation to secure. 

Love ! the bright gem in Heaven born ! 

Prepares the soul for life to come ; 
Leaves not the suflerer forlorn, 

But bears rich mercy to his home. 

Love ! long endures the scoffer's voice, 
And weeps to view the fallen host; 

It claims for man a better choice 

Than all the powers of hell can boast. 

Love ! casts her anchor in the veil, 
And braves the storm of dying strife ; 

It fears no dangers which assail 
The passage to eternal life. 



rice's poetry. 289 

Love ! broke the fetters of the grave, 
And made the Tyrant Death depart ; 

It felt the curse lost man to save, 

And changed the motion of his heart. 

Love ! is strong faith's undying fruits 

It soars Mount Zion's holy hill : 
It claims the best of all pursuits. 

And sinks in God's most perfect will. 



THE CHRISTIAN PILGRIM. 

By faith I see the Pilgrim stranger 
Descend the steeps of Jordan's vale; 

He braves his way fearless of danger, 
Though all the hosts of hell assail. 

The lion and his whelps are roaring 
To put to flight the volunteer, 

Yet high the crimsoned flag is soaring, 
Directing him which way to steer. 

His unseen guide is God the Savior, 
Who bids his rising fears depart ; 

Through faith in Him he shall find favor, 
To bind and heal his stricken heart. 

Behold him verging to the river, 

Where chilly waters float the stream ; 

As he descends, the bount'ous Giver 
Inspires him with exulting beam. 

Beyond the waves I see him rising. 
Bedecked with robes of spotless white; 

On wings of faith, in flight surprising. 
He soars angelic worlds of light. 

No more he feels the waves of Jordan 
Congeal his vital stream of life ; 

The Savior's seal of richest pardon 
Bears him above his dying strife. 

19 



1^90 bice's poetry. 

His sighs and groans have passed forever! 

His streaming eyes no. longer weep ! 
His chords of love no more shall sever; 

Nor fear deep Jordan's pulseless sleep. 

In Zion's ship he sails the ocean, 

With breezes of eternal joy ; 
And fears no more the waves' commotion 

Since Christ the billows can destroy. 



THE TEMPERANCE STRAIN. 

All nature swell the Temp'rance Strain ! 

Bear it ye winds along the sky I 
Ye mountains high, and ev'ry plain, 

And fountains deep, respond the cry. 

Ye oceans, chant the joyful sound, 
By roaring waves and crested foam ; 

Waft it ye winds where man is found, 
And destined by his God to roam. 

O, catch the Strain ye wood-land groves ! 

Ye lofty pines your branches bend ! 
Ye birds that in the heavens rove, 

Your chanting songs of beauty lend. 

Sweet vision to the dreamer come. 
Give lustre to his stricken soul. 

That when he visits wife and home, 
It may his utmost power control. 

Bear it ye steamers far away ; — 

On trembling wires like light'ning fly; 

*Till darkness shall be turned to day. 
And alcohol shall bleed and die. 

Repeat the Strain from shore to shore, 
That man's exemption draweth near j 

The drunkard's God shall reign no morej 
His wife and child no longer fear. 



RICE S POETRy. 



Ye angels of the Father's Son, 
Chant it above in lofty strains, 

Until mankind by grace are won. 
And God restore lost Eden's plains. 



THE DYING SON'S PETITION. 

*' Stay, father stay !" the night is dark, — 
Leave not thy child alone to die ; 

For soon I feel my vital spark 
Must to its kindred mansion fly. 

" Stay, father stay !" before the dawn 
Of morning light, my soul may flee ; 

And how can I while thou art gone. 
Depart thy face no more to see. 

*' Stay, father stay I" my mother 's dead. 
And we on earth are left alone : 

If thou depart, her soul which bled, 
Will from its star-lit region mourn. 

" Stay, father stay !" this night, leave 
The frantic bowl, which makes me weep j- 

That bowl my mother's shroud did weave, 
And drives me to a pulseless sleep. 

♦' Stay, father stay !" for how can I 
In midnight take my last farewell, 

And have no earthly kindred by. 

While Jordan's waves around me swell. 

" Stay, father stay !" once more I cry. 
Nor count the task too great for thee ; 

For thy dear Son must shortly die ! — 
Why not his dying anguish see ? 

*' Stay, father stay !" nor make the tide 
Of frantic m:idness seize thy brain ; 

Let Temp'rance be thy future guide. 
And peace shall in thy bosom reign. 



292: rice's poetry. 

" Stay, father stay I" that when thy Son 
Shall upward take his ransomed flight, 

The boon which God the Savior won 
May be thy crown in worlds of light. 



ACROSTIC ON JOHN MILTON. 

J...ehovah's love inspired his brilliant mind 
0...n wings poetic starry worlds to soar; 

H...eaven was the feast his spirit sought to find ; 
N...or could this earth confine his giant lore. 

M...y soul awake ! let Milton's raptured song 
I...nspire thee with the glory of his theme ! 

L...ook to his harp, and like the angel throng 
T...urn to that Fount which made his spirit beam. 

0...n Adam's fall his plaintive accents fell; 

N...or could Lost Paradise confine his soul ; 
He often soared where golden seraphs dwell, 

And viewed the stream where chrvstal waters roll. 



SONG OF THE REDEEMED. 

Enraptured with fire, that tuneth the lyre, 
Each Christian exclaims in his flight: 

Our spirits shall stand, with the angelic band, 
And worship our God with delight. 

All that are made free, God's glory to see, 
We hail them to join in the song 

Of redeeming love, that echoes above, 
By all the bright angelic throng. 

Endowed with a flight, as cherubs of light, 
We '11 view the new city on high ; 

And sail round the tree, of great majesty, 
In beauties that never can die. 



rice's poetry. 293 

PRAYER IN AFFLICTION. 

Great God ! all glory to thy name, 
By men and angels shall be given; 

Thy boundless love is still the same 
To Adam's race, and saints in Heaven, 

"When man was lost thy Son appeared, 

Performed the mission of a God ; 
By groans and death salvation reared, 

And bore for us his Father's rod. 

When in the chains of deep despair, 
My heart was burthened with her load ; 

I felt the sword of justice there, 

While tears of grief like rivers flowed. 

Prayer burst the chains that bound my soul, 
And drove my load of guilt away; 

Prayer did my bleeding heart control, 
And gave me hope of endless day. 

When deep in poverty I mourned, 
The Lord beheld my tears and grief; 

He heard my wailings as I groaned, 
And sent from Heaven some kind relief. 

When I must heave my final sigh, 

And soul and body sunder wide ; 
God, receive me up on high, 

To sail on Heaven's richest tide. 

There may my spirit be at rest, 

Where tears shall never cloud the eye; 

There may I mingle with the blest. 
In joys supreme that never die. 



THE WATERS OF SALVATION. 

Ho ! ev'ry one that thirsts draw nigh ! 
Our Lord invites mankind to live ; 



294 rice's poetry. 

The Waters of Salvation buy, 

While Jesus will these waters give. 

Come to the Rock of ages, come ! 

Buy wine and milk, — rich grace receive; 
Return ye wand'ring sinners home, 

God's mercy will your souls relieve. 

See from the Savior rivers flow. 

For you in healing streams they roll ; 

No price you '11 give, — to Jesus go, 
He saves the sin-sick burdened soul. 

He claims no money from your hands, 
Leave all your stores of wealth behind ; 

Ye poor and wretched, sinful bands, 
Salvation in your Savior find. 

These waters quench the soul's desire, 
And wash the stains of guilt away ; 

Inflame the heart with heavenly fire, 
And fill it with eternal day. 

This moment come, and slake your thirst j— 
To morrow you may never see ! 

Your mortal vessels soon must burst ! 
Then let these Waters make you free. 



LOVE SAVES THE SINNER. 

Confined in chains of deep despair, 
The sinner shakes with fear ; 

No arm his pond'rous load to bear. 
No light his cell to cheer. 

His wretched state no tongue can tell, 
No painter cast the shade ; 

His flesh must with the reptiles dwell, 
His soul with demons fade. 

In pity moved the Son of God, 
He saw the sinner's grief; 



rice's poetry. 295 

For him the steeps of Calv'ry trod, 
And sent his soul relief. 

Down from his everlasting throne, 

With saving grace He flew; 
And died that he might sin atone, 

And man's lost soul renew, 

O for this Love let all mankind 

Their grateful songs repeat; 
And through the blood of Jesus find 

Salvation made complete. 

Angels tune all your harps of gold. 

This matchless Love to tell ; 
Through Heav'n and earth its pow'r unfold, 

Which saves the soul from hell. 

Ye sons of light, this Love proclaim 

To all the fallen race ; 
The honor of your Savior's name, 

His free and sovereign grace. 



"IN GOD IS MY SALVATION." 

Father ! thy goodness I confess, 

Thou art the source of life and grace ; 

By prayer I will thy throne address, 
And view with joy thy smiling face. 

Thy arm spread out the vaulted skies. 
Thy voice earth's deep foundation lay ; 

From Thee mankind by millions rise, 
Then gasp in death, and pass away. 

Thy calming hand expels my fear. 
As I bend o'er the gaping tomb ; 

And wipes away each falling tear, 
While verging to my final doom. 

But if thy chast'ning rod withdraw, 
Thy mercy health again restore ; 



296 kice's poetky. 

Help me to keep thy sacred law, 
And thy Almighty name adore. 

Let sin no more my bliss destroy, 

While passing down life's rapid stream ; 

But emblems of celestial joy 
In my immortal spirit beam. 

Then shall my anchor be secure 
Against the ills of dying strife ; 

Thy grace constrain me to ensure 
My passage to eternal life. 

Sustained by Thee, I '11 pass the vale, 
And bid this fading world farewell ; 

Will in the ship of Zion sail, 

And rise above the waves of hell. 



THE BEGGAR'S LAMENTATION. 

Show pity Lord, my fate deplore, 
For I am feeble, poor and faint ; 

I often beg from door to door, 

And wet with tears my sad complaint. 

My little ones cry out for bread ; — 

For want of health they mourn and weep; 

let them from thy hand be fed, 
And love thy sacred law to keep. 

My wife, myself, and children all, 
In tattered raiment, — thinly clad, 

Do on thy waiting servants call 

For bread to make our spirits glad. 

They often lend their helping hand, 
To cheer our sad and fainting hearts; 

But we had rather till the land. 
To feed that life, thy love imparts. 

Lord give us health, to sweat and toil, 
And we shall food and raiment gain : 



KICE S POETRY. 297 

We 'd sooner work the roughest soil, 
Than feel disease and beg in pain. 

My God, we are deformed and weak; — 
Our bodies seem by Satan bound ; 

Let thy free grace salvation speak, 
For mercy in thy name is found. 

But if we must our fate bewail, 

And feel 'till death our pond'rous load ! 

May we through faith outride the gale, 
And gain at last thy blest abode. 

Then shall disease and death no more 
Disturb our spirits' peace within ; 

But harps of gold on Zion's shore, 
Shall tell our freedom from all sin. 



TIME AND IMMORTALITY. 

My moments on Time's fleeting pinions fly. 
Which soon will seasons of advice deny; — 
The day of grace soon terminates with all. 
Who by old Adam mourn their fatal fall. 

Then rise my soul above this opaque land, 
Be active in the duties of thy hand ; 
Shake off' the fear that stills the futal cry, 
Or news of peace to sinners doomed to die. 

Teach me O Wisdom, all my heart should know, 
Of things in Heaven, or things of earth below; 
And when I 'm taught direct my wand'ring feet, 
From all excursions to a heav'nly seat. 

And when my days on earth shall be no more. 
May my winged spirit land on Canaan's shore; 
Bid pain farewell, and join with angels blest, 
To worship God, and find eternal rest. 

Then shall my cares of life be done away. 
My soul be blest with God's immortal ray ; 



298 



KICE S POETRY. 



Then shall the stream that slakes the thirsty heart, 
To my poor spirit healing grace impart. 

Glory to God, my tongue begins to cry ! 
Glory to Him, who brought salvation nigh ! 
All heaven rejoice to shout the Savior's name, 
And feel the rapture of .his heav'nly flame. 

The pleasures of those shining courts above, 
Where all is beauty and ambrosial love, 
No man can tell — no human mind explore. 
Nor all the cherubs of anorelic lore. 



THE BETTER CHOICE. 

How short is life ! how soon 't is gone ! 

A breath — a gasp, and all is o'er. 
The fainting heart, oft left forlorn. 

Ere long shall rest, to beat no more. 

The young and old, alike must feel 
The scourges of death's iron rod; 

His arm shall make the strongest kneel, 
And kiss the dust the Serpent trod. 

Then what of all earth's glitt'ring toys. 
Though decked with ev'ry golden hue ? 

Why should the heart beat high for joys, 
Which God declares shall pierce it through ? 

Withdraw my soul, and grasp no more 
The fading gems this earth can give ; 

But seek the fruit of Zion's shore. 
And learn for angel's crowns to live. 

And when the scenes of life are past, 
When earth's vain glory droops to die, 

Then thou shalt gain a sweet repast, — 
No more to feel the dying sigh. 



r 



RICE S POETRY. 299 

This, is the Lord's inviting voice, 
This, the rich purchase of his blood, 

That all should make the Better Cnoice, 
And rise above sin's raging- flood. 

o ID 

Then why delay to choose this crown, 
Far brought by Jesus from the skies 1 

For it his life he once laid down ! 
For it from Joseph's tomb did rise. 

All hail this richest boon of love ! 

This life eternal bought for man ! 
Which stamps the soul for Heav'n above, 

And saves it from lost angels' ban. 



THE BATTLE FIELD. 

What doleful sound is this that strikes my ear? 
Wars are proclaimed and rumors do appear ; — 
Abaddon's kingdom still pursues to reign. 
And direful slaughter stains the battle plain. 

Nations 'gainst nations with their falchions rise, 
And make a sanguine flood beneath the skies ! 
Legions of warriors in dread gloom expire, 
And spurn the mercy of iheir plastic Sire. 

' Tis true the hero gains a martial name. 
Ascends the summit of a warrior's fame ; 
But ah ! how soon his blood-bought fame retires, 
'His glory buried by the judgment fires. 

What horror strikes the ear where cannon roar, 
And vile pollution causes blood to pour ? 
Brother against brother indignant rise; 
In dreamless slumber close each other's eyes. 

Deep was that wail when life's last embers died ; 
Sad was that heart which spurned the Crucified ; 
Short were those j^ears that bought eternal pain. 
And bound the spirit where lost demons reign. 



300 rice's poetry. 

O tell it not, that man can thus rejoice ; 
By slaughter make eternal death his choice ; 
For earth's vain glory lose his blood-bought soul, 
Where waves of fire like burning mountains roll. 

When shall the Prince of peace pervade the earth, 
And give unto her an exalted birth ? 
The lamb unite and with the lion play, 
All men behold the long predicted day ? 

Then shall the earth in smiling beauty rise. 
The war-cry cease, and peace descend the skies ; 
Shall o'er the world her cheering zephyrs blow, 
Which roake all men a Paradise to know. 



THE SABBATH SCHOOL. 

Go, little ones, and learn the way 
Of Jesus' truth, and grace ; 

Go to the Sabbath School to-day, 
And seek your Savior's face. 

Before his Father's throne he waits, 
And pleads your case in love. 

Invites you through celestial gates 
To angels' courts above. 

Go, little ones, in faith draw near, 
And hear God's truth revealed; 

This day salvation may appear, 
Your pardon may be seen 

Learn from the treasures of his word, 
To love, to watch, and pray ; 

By faith approach your risen Lord, 
And walk the shining way. 

From acorns tow'ring oaks shall grow, 

From infants giants rise ; 
These youthful buds shall overthrow 

The wicked by surprise. 



I 



I 



rice's rOETRT. 301 

These feeble minds through God shall shine, 

To drive away our gloom ; 
Though hell and infidels co.nbine, 

We read their final doom. 

Let scholars, and their teachers all 

The Gospel course pursue, 
' Till man shall rise above the fall, 

And own the Bible true. 

And when the battle here shall end, 

And Satan rage no more. 
With angels they shall greet their Friend 

On Canaan's peaceful shore. 



CAUTION TO THE READER. 



Reader, if I 've expressed what is not true, 
Or penned that doctrine, which in Gospel view 
Is proved a fiction, or destructive plan, 
Believe it not, for it was wrote by man. 

But if you should my composition find 
Sanctioned by truth of an exalted kind ; 
That truth, which followed inspiration's pen j 
Reject it not, but promulgate, amen. 

When life no longer in these lamps shall bum, 
And living spirits to their God return. 
May all my Readers traverse on the shore. 
Where love shall reign, and death be known no more. 



ANGELS BEAR ME HOME. 

Angels break my galling fetters, 
Bear me to a brighter sphere ; 

Let me go where Christ's dominion 
Wipes away each falling tear. 



S02 rice's poetry. 

True this world has friends to bless me 
With their gifts of fondest love; 

But the songs of angels beckon 
Me to fairer worlds above. 

Let me soar beyond these waters, 
Marred by sin's destructive wave;— 

Mountain surges dark and dreary, 
Prove no barque is sure to save. 

Short indeed are earth's vain flowers; 

Soon their glories pass away; — 
Angels bear me to those mansions, 

Shining with celestial day. 

Bear me Home, ye swift winged seraphs, 
Jesus' blood has made me free ! 

Bear me where my soul shall ever 
In God's holy presence be. 

Waft me through death's gate to Heaven^ 

Let me to my Jesus fly; 
Slake my thirst on crystal waters, 

Feast where spirits never die. 

Bear me Home ! for sounds seraphic 
Call me to their native shore ! 

' Tis the friendly voice of cherubs 
On swift pinions flying o'er ' 

Hark ! I hear them now descending ; 

Lo ! they bear my soul away, 
Where the raging waves of Jordan 

Shall be lost for endless day ! 



WHAT MAN WAS THAT? 

What' Man was that divinely bright. 

To laugli was never seen ? 
His visage fair, — bedecked with light ;— 

From sin his hands were clean ? 



rice's poetry. 303 

His beard was fork'd upon his chin, 

His eyes were quick and gray ; 
His face was spotless, and within 

His heart a treasure lay. 

What Man was that, whose mouth and nose 

So perfectly were made, 
No one their beauty could disclose, — 

No painter cast the shade I 

His cheeks were spotless, tinged with red, 

His hair in ringlets fell: 
He healed the sick, and raised the dead 

When he on earth did dwell. 

What man was that, whose hands aivd arms 

In beauty were arrayed ? 
What voice, inspired with unknown charms, 

When he that voice displayed ? 

The color of his waving hair 

Was like the filbert ripe ; 
And all his personage most fair 

Surpassing every type. 

What Man was that ? let angels tell 

"It was the King of kings," 
Who left the shining courts to dwell 

Where sin the sinner stings. 

He broke the strongest bars of death, 

And made the pris'ner free ; 
When he for sin gave up his breath 

Upon the cursed tree. 

He died! but triumphed o'er the grave! 

He burst the tyrant's chain, 
That he the fallen soul might save 

From hell's eternal reign. 



304 rice's F0ETR7. 



THE WARRIOR'S DEATH. 

Inspired by War's destructive rage, 
The soldier puts on sword and shield; 

Leaves wife and children to engage 
The carnage of the battle field. 

His spirit lit by fires of hell, 

Calls him to leave his native home ; 

The flames of War his bosom swell, 
And urge his frantic mind to roam. 

Thoughtless he rushes to the place 
Where lances play and bullets fly j 

Desires his footsteps to retrace ; 
But if he leaves his post must die. 

Urged on by martial law to face 

His foes upon the field of death, 
*He marches on with speedy pace, 

' Till forced at once to yield his breath 

The cannon's mighty thunder spoke, 
The death-ball took its mortal flight ; 

His cistern to its centre broke ; 
His martial glory sunk in night. 

Why mourns the child ? why fall those tears ? 

The father like a fool is lost ! 
In frantic madness disappears. 

And on the waves of hell is tost. 

Nor he alone ; but all who take 
The sword in hand shall by it fall ; 

Shall mourn in Hades burning lake. 
And groan beneath her fun'ral pall. 

Lend, lend your ear ye sons of War, 
Before you drink the spirit's wail ; 

Be guided by the morning Star, 
And in the ship of Zion sail. 



niCE S POETRY. 305 

And when your banner floats the sky, 
Let Peace in gold be written there, 

And He who made the worlds on high, 
Shall land your souls beyond despair. 



THE CROWNS OF HEAVEN. 

Crowns of glory, raiment white, 

Palms of life's eternal day, 
Ever deck the saints of light, 

Who on harps of angels play. 

Lo the victors bring their palms 
To the Tree of Life on high, 

And declare in grateful psalms 
"Jesus for our souls did die." 

Kings their mortal crowns resign, 
And proclaim on harps of gold, 

" Take the kingdom Lord, ' tis thine ;"- 
Half thy glory can't be told. 

Priests around the altar stand, 

Clothed in garments white as snow, 

Join with angels heart and hand. 
Crying, " Jesus made us so." 

These are they who dwelt on earth, 
Bore the stamp of Adam's race ; 

Bound in pain and sin by birth ; 
But were freed from all by grace. 

These were pilgrims here like us, 
Subject to the pangs of death ! 

May we be translated thus, 

When we yield our latest breath. 



20 



306 rice's poetry. 



COMFORT IN DEATH. 

When sore diseases shake the frame, 
Each pleasure takes its flight ; 

The joys of earth are but a dream, 
And day is turned to night. 

The grisly tyrant strikes the blow, 

And chills the stream of life ; 
While nature faints beneath her load 

Of pain and dying strife. 

The mortal frame must turn to dust, 

And fill the dreary grave ; 
Yet the undying soul may rest 

Through grace made free to save. 

The man that looks o'er Jordan's stream. 

His burden casts on God ; 
When heart and strength in him shall fail, 

Will kiss his Father's rod. 

Death shall no more his soul alarai. 

For Jesus gives him sight ; 
And angels of the morning Star 

Bear him to worlds of light. 

His harp is tuned in highest strains, 

His songs in rapture swell; 
His treasure is in Heaven born 

Where all his brethren dwell. 



THE POWER OF GOD. 

Father ! thou sittest on thy throne f 
No man shall see thy face and livej 

Thou art the Lord, and God alone ! 
No power but thine can being give. 



rice's poetry. 307 

Thy fingers doth all worlds control, 
Thy potent arm sustains them all; 

Thy name is known from pole to pole, 
Where'er thy hands of mercy fall. 

All nature hears thy mighty voice, 
Obsequious moves at thy command; 

The upper hosts in Thee rejoice, 
And worship in their spirit land. 

Thou didst the elements create. 

The starry lamps were made by Thee ; 

Thy plastic arm sealed Adam's fate 
When he partook the fatal tree. 

Thy power is great ! no eye can scan 
The works of thy creation round ; 

No being solve thy mighty plan, 

By which unnumbered worlds abound. 

When earth shall to her centre quake, 
And stars like leaves of autumn fall, 

Thou wilt the guilty spirit shake. 
The righteous save in Zion's wall. 

My soul adore this mighty One, 
Who first bespoke creation's birth ! 

0, let his will in thee be done. 
And soar above this fading earth. 



GOD WORTHY OF PRAISE. 

To God all Praise belongs, 
His mercy crowns our songs, 
He is the source of all our joy. 
His worthy name our songs employ. 

The garden and the field, 
And all the vineyards' yield, 



308 rice's poetry. 

With oil the olive trees bestow, 
To us God's loving kindness show. 

The herds that graze the hills, 

The waters of the rills, 
And clouds that send reviving rain, 
Call for our heart's thanksgiving strain. 

The ox the corn and swine, 
The pear and fruitful vine, 
And all the gifts that crown our land, 
Show mercy from our Father's hand. 

His good in gone by years, 
His shield in time of fears ; 
And when the hour of sickness prest. 
His kindness stilled our aching breast. 

To God our praise shall flow, 
Who does such gifts bestow; 
And when from time our souls shall fly 
On angels' harps we '11 praise on high. 



TERRORS OF DEATH. 

0, why should Christians fear to die, 
And cross the raging flood ? 

Death is the gate that leads on high 
Through faith in Jesus' blood. 

The mortal pain, the dying strife 
Impress our souls with fear ; 

Though ills and toil beset our life, 
We dread the spoiler near. 

But if our Lord will meet us there 
We '11, stretch our spirit wing, 

To pass Death's gate, nor fear to bear 
The viper's mortal sting. 



rice's poetry. 309 

Jesus surrounds the bed of Death 

By his sustaining grace, 
So when we yield our latest breath 

"We see his smiling face. 

His hands shall waft us o'er the tomb, 

And plant us near his throne ; 
Why then lament our mortal doom, 

And fear our final groan ? 



THE MENTAL POWERS OF MAN. 

What vast improvements man has made ? 

How great his mental skill ? 
Mysterious things, — long in the shade, 

Obey his giant will. 

He brings the star-lit regions near. 
And counts their orbs of light ; 

And as they to his sight appear, 
Computes their rapid flight. 

The ships that plough the mighty deep, 

Propelled by steam alone ; 
While they their useful courses keep, 

His deep invention own. 

The cars drove on by rapid speed, 

To traffic far and near ; 
Have been prepared in time of need 

By man, the world to cheer. 

The trembling wires have just been strung', 

To send our news away ; 
For which ten thousand voices rung. 

And hailed the joyful day. 

The golden mines by man explored, 
To rvhich all nations run, , 

Vast speculations shall afford, 
Which dazzle like the sun. 



310 rice's poetry. 

What next in course shall heave in view, 

My vision cannot tell ; 
If I but knew, I would pursue 
The cheerful song to swell. 

For all these gifts, to God belongs 

Our undivided praise ; 
He is the Author of our songs, 
* By his effulgent rays. 



PRAYER. 

Prayer is the burden of the soul, 

The motion of the breast; 
That thirst no mortal can control, 

Unless by God represt. 

Prayer is the heart's sincere desire, 

The bitter tears that fall ; 
The hidden and prevailing fire ; — 

A wish on God to call. 

Prayer is the Christian's living breath, 

His hope of sins forgiven ; 
His triumph in the hour of death. 

His passport into Heaven. 

Prayer is the sinner's weeping cry, 

When he returns to God ; 
It stamps his soul for crowns on high, 

And breaks his Father's rod. 

Prayer is the smallest mode of speech, 

That infant lips can tell ; 
Empowers the fallen soul to reach 

The courts where angels dwell. 

In Prayer all Christians do combine, 
Their bonds of faith are one ; 

In Heaven they all expect to shine 
Through God's eternal Son. 



rice's poetry. 311 

Nor does the Christian pray alone ; 

Our Savior pleads on high, 
Before his Father's shining throne, 

That man may never die. 

Angels rejoice, when sinners pray 

In Jesus' worthy name ; 
To Heaven they bear the news away 

In songs oi holy flame. 

O Thou, who art the Way to God ! 

The One that answers Prayer; 
Help us to walk where thou hast trod, 

And break the fowler'a snare. 

And when we shall no longer press 

Thy mercy seat below, 
May we thy shining throne address, 

Where tears shall never flow. 



WHAT IS HELL ? 

O what is Hell ? the raging fires 
Of hostile feelings in the breast, 

The burning thirst, the warm desires 
To drive away all peace and rest. 

O what is Hell ? it is the ills 

That drown the happiness of life, 

And in man's peaceful breast distil 
The mortal dregs of dying strife. 

O what is Hell ? the orphan's groans. 
The widows' torn and fainting hearts ; 

The beggar that in want bemoans, 
The patient's pain, disease imparts. 

O what is Hell ? let truth unfold. 
It is the warrior's fatal smart ; 

His deepest torments can't be told, 
When stricken by the mortal dart. 



312 eice's poetey. 

what is Hell 1 it is all pain, 

All bloodshed, and approaching death ; 

' Tis murder for intent of gain, 
And fear of the expiring breath. 

O what is Hell ? let angels tell, 

Who fell from Heaven to bind their chains; 

" It is the dirge that demons swell 
While God's eternal justice reigns." 

what is Hell ? lo Jesus' blood 
Was spilt upon the cursed tree, 

To save us from sin's raging flood. 

And fiom Hell's torments make us free. 



CHRISTIAN FRIENDSHIP. 

Let spite and rage depart. 

No more the church o'erspread. 

Since " bond and free" are one in heart. 
Through Christ their living head. 

The Jew and Gentile band, 

In mutual love abound ; 
Heirs to the same celestial land, 

With the same blessings crowned. 

Let envy black as hell, 

Be driven far away ; 
In love the sons of God must dwell, 

If God they would obey. 

Then shall the church below, 

Resemble that above. 
Where living waters ever flow, 

And ev'ry heart is love. 



DARKNESS SHROUDS JERUSALEM. 
Night shrouds the land Avhere Jesus spoke, 
No star the shepherds cheer ; 



niCE's POETRT. 313 

There, sin with its oppressive yoke 
Brings death eternal near. 

No Gospel news sent from above, 

On angels' pinions bore, 
Cheers man with God's redeeming love, 

As in the days of yore. 

Ye sons of earth from sin made free, 

Who feel the promise sure. 
Toil hard until your eyes shall see 

Jerusalem secure. 

Ye heralds of the Father's Son, 

Fast bear God's truth away, 
'Till Salem's land by grace is won, 

Her sons to Jesus pray. 

Send forth that renovating light, 

Which saves the soul from hell ; 
So when the Jew shall take his flight, 

He may with Jesus dwell. 

Then shall the grace of God abound, 

Which makes the Gentile free ; 
The hostile Jew in Christ be found, 

And all his glory see. 



CHILDREN SHOULD LOVE EACH OTHER. 

Let dogs delight to rage and bite 

And prove their nature true ; 
Let lions growl and panthers fight, 

And tigers blood pursue. 

But children God commands to tread 

The way of joy and peace ; 
That when they join the silent dead, 

He may their souls release. 



314 rice's poetry. 

Peace should in all their actions run, 
And ev'ry word be calm ; 

They should be like the virgin's Son, 
Who did his mother charm. 

His soul was harmless as the dove, 
That wings the ether sky; 

And as he grew, increased in Love 
To man, and God on high. 

He reigns above, the Lord of all ; 

And from his dazz'ling throne, 
He listens to his children's call, 

And stamps them for his own. 



FAITH IS OUR GUIDE. 

Inspired by Faith of joys above, 

We walk through deserts here below; 

Confiding in our Savior's love. 
We feel his living waters flow. 

Our Faith supplies the want of sight, 
And opens wide the pearlj"^ gate ; 

She looks to God with all her might. 
And soars above lost angels' fate. 

By Faith we tread this barren soil, 

In prospect of eternal joys ; 
Though lions roar, in hope we toil, 

To rise above earth's fading toys. 

Let death and dangers fill the way. 
And all the hosts of hell arise ; 

Yet in. the strength of Faith we pray. 
And on her wings ascend the skies. 

So Abra'm, by his God's command. 
Left his own house, a crown to gain; 

By Faith he viewed the promised land, 
Where all tiie saints with Jesus reisrn. 



rice's poetry. 315 

"JESUS." 

Jesus, how sweet thy name resounds 

To my poor dying ear ; 
It dries my tears, and heals my wounds, 

And takes away my fear. 

It sets the weeping spirit free, 

And gives the mourner rest 
It makes each heart in love agree, 

And calms the raging breast. 

By Him my prayer is heard of God, 

He sends his blessing down ; 
Withdraws from me his Father's rod, 

And saves me for a crown. 

While life shall last I will proclaim 

His love in ev'ry breath ; 
Then may his all-prevailing name 

Sustam my soul in death. 

Jesus, let me ever feel 

Thy Spirit's power within ; 
My heart be full of holy zeal, 

And free from ev'ry sin. 

And when I am called to bid farewell 

To all things here below, 
Lord Jesus, take me home to dwell, 

Where tears shall never flow. 

MY BIRTH DAY. 

My years pass by ! in haste I go, 

While down life's rapid stream I ride j 

All things are fleeting here below. 
And sink beneath death's rolling tide. 

My years pass by ! the stream of time 

Conveys me through earth's chequered scene ; 

Her cold and heat, and varied clime, 
With joys arid woes, I 've felt and seen. 



316 rice's poetry. 

My years pass by ! may I beware 
Of that design, for which they roll j 

Through blood divine, secure a share 
Of grace, which saves the dying soul. 

My years pass by ! and as they pass, 
0, may they waft me to the shore, 

Which lies beyond the sea of glass, 

Where pain and death arc felt no more. 

My years pass by ! let my last 
Convey me to my Savior's throne ; 

Where I may find a rich repast, 
And ever know, as I am known. 

My years pass by ! soon I shall feel, 
That all my toil and grief are fled ; 

My soul imbibe angelic weal. 
My body triumph o'er the dead. 



THE LORD'S PRAYER VERSIFIED. 

Our Father who in Heaven art. 

Most holy is thy name ; 
Let thy renewing kingdom come, 

Thy will our hearts inflame. 

Impart this day our daily bread, 

Our trespasses forgive; 
As we remit our neighbor's wrongs, 

To us thy favor give. 

From all temptation save our souls, 

From evil set us free ; 
Thy kingdom is at thy command, 

May we that kingdom see. 

Forever is all glory thine, 
To Thee all pow'r belongs ; 

Thy vast dominion shall remain, 
And swell our grateful songs. 



kick's poetry. 317 

THE CHRISTIAN'S FAREWELL. 

My time is come, and seraphs round me wait 
To take me to their glorious happy state, 
Where free from turmoil, death, and mortal pain, 
I shall with angels, and my Savior reign. 

Ye Christian partners of my heart adieu ! 
I can no longer stay on earth with you ; 
My Master calls me to his courts on high, 
Where saints redeemed with holy angels vie. 

But soon your sorrows in this world shall end, 
If you adopt the sinner's only Friend ; 
This life you '11 lose to gain a life on high, 
Where tears are lost, and Christians never sigh. 

There may we meet on that ambrosial plain, 
Where heav'nly raptures fill the broad domain ; 
Where cherubs pure, and blood-washed spirits meet, 
To worship Christ upon the judgment seat. 

SABBATH MORNING HYMN. 

When in the morning I awake, 

To God my pray'r shall rise ; 
My heart of flesh his name shall fear, 

And tears shall fill my eyes. 

Before his gracious throne above 

My Savior pleads for me ; 
Sends down the tokens of his gracSj 

And sets my spirit free. 

Sinners in him take no delight. 
They never love his name ; — 

His justice drives them from his throne, 
To feed the burning flame. 

But to his house will I resort 

To plead his favor near; 
In love frequent his sacred courts, 

And worship in his fear. 



318 rice's poetry. 

may his spirit be my guide 

While through this world I stray ; 
Make ev'ry path of duty plain, 
^ ' Till I must pass away. 

And when I 'm called to bid farewell 
To sorrows here below ; 

May I in Jesus take my flight, 
Where tears shall never flow. 



THE DAY OF GRACE. 

Life is the time to turn from sin. 
And in the word of God believe ; 

The time renewing Grace to win, 
Which shall the dying soul relieve. 

Life is the day bestowed from Heaven 
For us to flee the pains of hell ; 

The day of Grace most freely given, 
Whereby in glory we may dwell. 

But if this hour we do despise, 

God's word neglect, we sure shall die ; 

Then may we all through Grace be wise, 
To walk the golden streets on high. 

If on this day of life depend, 

Our souls' immortal weal or woe ! 

Ah ! why should we our God onend, 
And to eternal torments go ? 

Low in the grave where we must lie, 
No acts of pardon shall be given ; 

Our fate is sanctioned when we die, 
Our dwelling either hell or Heaven. 

Then let us all be wise to-day, 

And Heaven's eternal mansions gain ; 

God's righteous will in love obey, 

Which saves the soul from endless pain. 



kice's poetry. 319 

THE GOLD OF CALIFORNIA. 

When from my slumber I awake, 

For gold I hear the raging cry ! 
From ocean to the distant lake, 

I see the frantic throng pass by. 

I asked the pilgrims whither bound ? 

" We 're on our journey round Cape Horn 
For California's treasures found. 

We leave our land and stores of corn.'* 

" Up Sacramento's golden stream, 
We shall abundant riches gain; — 

Our faith is no fictitious dream, — 
Ere long we shall the prize obtain." 

" We leave our wives and children all. 
From our fond parents we depart ; 

In spite of friends obey the call, 

And cause to bleed each wounded heart." 

What mean these groans — these falling tears ? 

These sobs of grief — these hearts of woe ? 
These bosoms shook with rending fears, 

While friends to distant regions go? 

This god of earth ! this love of Gold I 
Will cause ten thousand hearts to bleed ! 

For it, all friendship shall be sold, 

And parting friends on husks shall feed. 

Suppose a few the prize obtain, — 

A smaller number back return, 
The loss will still excel the gain, 

As far as wisdom can discern. 

The boon of life surpasses Gold ; 

In search of which shall dangers rise ; 
Whereby shall life for death be sold, 

Which proves the task to be unwise. 

The Indian tribes will cruel rage. 
All in their wild and savage state, 



320 rice's poetry. 

In hostile fury shall engage, 

To hasten white men's dying fate. 

While on the long and tedious way, 
Which leads to that far distant land, 

Diseases often seize their prey. 

And scourge with death the mourning band. 

Hunger shall raise the dismal cry, 

" ' Tis not for Gold, but food I faint ;" 

The beggar in his want shall die. 

For none shall hear his sad complaint. 

Parties by land, that sweat and toil 
From day to day their prize to find, 

Shall by their blood enrich the soil. 
When they in death each other bind. 

Pirates for Gold will hoist their sail, 
The blood of their frail victims spill ! 

Like tigers they will brave the gale, 
Until they do their coffers fill. 

When all these dangers heave in view, 

And many more I cannot tell, 
I think the best that we can do 

Is stay at home, and flee from hell. 

If fallen man as well would love 

The Gold of Heav'n, as Gold of earth, 

He might with angels soar above, 
And claim by grace a higher birth. 

Jerusalem remains on high. 

For all who wear the raiment white ;— 
No groan or tear ! no pain or sigh ! 

Shall mar the saints' supreme delight. 

Her streets are paved with richest Gold, 
Her walls with beauty decked around ; 

Her trees of life their fruit unfold. 

Her healing streams with grace abound. 



RICES POETRY. 321 

How vain are all earth's treasures here, 

Compared with crowns through Jesus' blood ? 

Then may we on faith's pinions steer 
Our course above sin's raging flood. 



"WATCH AND PRAY." 

Ye sons of God be on your guard ; 

Ten thousand foes are gath'ring round ; 
And all your sins are pressing hard, 

To drive you from Immanuel's grounds. 

As soldiers, learn to Watch and Pray, 
And never lay your armor down ; 

Renew your courage day by day, 
Until you wear an angel's crown. 

Don't think too soon, the battle o'er ; 

For it must last while life endures : 
But labor hard to gain the shore ; 

Since work, through faith, your crown secures. 

Remember where your strength is found ; — 

Upon the arm of God rely : 
Sure vict'ry in his name is crowned • — 

His valiant soldiers never die. 

Secured by his sustaining arm, 
You '11 triumph over ev'ry foe ; — 

No fiends of hell your souls alarm ;— 
You 're bound eternal life to go. 

And when the war shall have an end, 

Your spirits over Jordan pass ; 
With all the ransomed you shall blend, 

And rise above the sea of glass. 

THE BACKSLIDER'S SECRET PRAYER. 

My Savior let thy grace appear, 
And wash again my sins away j 
21 



EICE S POETEY. 

Draw near my weeping heart, draw near» 
That I may learn to watch and pray. 

I feel my bleeding spirit torn, 

Because no saving grace is there ; 

How long my Savior shall I mourn, 
In this secluded place of prayer ? 

Dear Lord, now let thy piercing eye 
Search out the windings of my heart ; 

"And if my prayer is heard, draw nigh, 
And thy subduing grace impart. 

Oft have I shut the closet door ; — 

Been blest where forest trees abound : 

Appear in my poor heart once more, 
Thou chiefest of ten thousand found. 

Without thy aid my soul must faint. 
And mourn in this sequestered bower; 

Draw nigh and hear my sad complaint. 
And let me feel thy ransomed power. 

Then shall my spirit be at rest, 
And feel that all is well within; 

Then shall I mingle with the blest, 
And triumph o'er the curse of sin. 



•'I AM THE RESURRECTION AND THE 
LIFE." 

To Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, 
Be honor, praise, and glory given, 

By all of earth's expiring host, 

And all the sacred tribes of Heaven. 

This triune, co-eternal God, 

We will adore while life endures; — 

Our sins demand his iron rod; 
But orace eternal life secures. 



bice's poetry. 323 

This is our omnipresent King ; 

He bled and died lost man to save ; 
On wings of mercy he did bring 

Salvation from the gloomy grave. 

All honor to thi:3 risen God ! 

The Monste." Death he bound in chains : 
In Joseph's tomb, the grave he trod ; 

But now a God in glory reigns. 

If Christ be risen from the dead, 
And burst the iron bands of hell ; 

So shall we through our living head 
Arise, and with our Savior dwell. 

By Adam's fall, death passed on all;— 
By Christ the resurrection came; 

Therefore we on our Jesus call, 

And sound abroad his worthy name. 

And when the last loud trump shall sound, 
We all shall feel the promise sure ; 

Then shall restoring life be found. 
Our dust an angel's crown secure. 

The soul and body both shall meet, 
Though countless ages roll between ; 

Shall fall and kiss the Savior's feet, 

And view those gems, no man hath seen. 



•'JESUS WEPT." 

Jesus Christ the Lord descended, 
Took upon him flesh and blood ; 

God and man his nature blended. 
To destroy sin's raging flood. 

Lo the Savior ! see him weeping 
O'er his brother's mortal doom ; 

He cries " Come forth ;" and the sleeping 
Laz'rus rises from the tomb. 



3®t. rice's poetry. 

Angels from your star-lit regions, 
See the Son of God in tears ! 

Look, O earth ! with all your legions, 
And be free from doubts and fears. 

Wake, sinners ! from your slumber, 
To this weeping Savior flee ; 

And be counted in that number, 
Who from pains of hell are free. 

Now he reigns in courts of glory ; 

Tears are driven from his eyes : 
Saints around him tell the story, 

How the lost obtain the prize. 

To his Father he is pleading 
For the souls he wept and died ; 

Those five wounds are interceding, 
Which he felt when crucified. 



THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF CHRIST. 

My Lord, I can no longer boast 
Of all the duties done by me ; 

My works are nought but dross at most ; 
My faith alone is built on Thee. 

My soul adores thy holy name ; 

What once I loved I count but loss ; 
My sinful pride I own with shame, 

And hail the glory of thy cross. 

Yes, my immortal soul shall deem 
All things but loss for Jesus' sake; 

I will his saving grace esteem, 
His righteousness by faith partake. 

When I was sunk beneath my load, 
And chains of death my spirit bound, 

The blood of Jesus marked the road, 
Through which eternal life is found. 



rice's poetry. 325 

The choicest service of my hands 
Dares not before his throne appear : 

I give noy heart as his demands, 
And feel his saving promise near. 



NONE BUT JESUS. 

My Lord if I depart from thee, 

0, whither shall I go ? 
Thou art the only guide to me 

Through this dark vale of wo. 

The vv-orld look on thy death with scorn, 
And spurn thy gentle reign ; 

Ah ! they could sharpen ev'ry thorn, 
And plat the crown again. 

Lord, I have felt thy dying love 

Subdue my wicked soul ; 
And fix my hope on joys above, 

Where crystal waters roll. 

Thou at my heart's supreTe delight, 
When dangers thwart my path; 

The Captain, under whom I fight, 
To shun eternal wrath. 

Thy truth shall guide mc to the grave, 
While I on earth shall dwell ; 

And when I die, thou wilt me save, 
From all the pains of hell. 



"PRAISE THE LORD." 

Rejoice ye nations of the earth, 
Before your great Almighty King ; 

' Twas he that gave creation birth; 
His grace did free salvation bring. 



KICE S POETRY. 

With cheerful hearts your voices raise, 
And sound his fame in ev'ry leind ; 

His name is worthy of all praise 

From earth, and all the heav'nly band. 

This is our God ! 'tis he alone, 

Who first our breath, and being gave ; 

We are his work, and not our own ; 
The sheep his soul delights to save. 

His healing grace is made secure, — 

To all creation he is kind ; 
His love will through all time endure; 

In it eternal life we find. 

Seraphs this mighty God adore, 
And all the shining hosts on high ; 

By his sustaining arm we soar. 

Where saints redeemed shall never die. 



CHRIST'S DEATH AND RESURRECTION. 

Behold the Lord of glory dies, 

While darkness spreads its gloom around ; 
The shades of midnight veil the skies, 

And direful trembling shakes the ground. 

Ye friends of Jesus, drop a tear 

For him, who washed your sins away; 

He died to bring salvation near, 
And bless you with eternal day. 

Here 's love expressed beyond degree, 
The sinner's Friend for man was slain ; 

But lo ! triumphant joys I see. 
The dying Jesus lives again. 

The rising Savior leaves the tomb. 
Up to the courts of God he flies ; 

Escorting angels make him room. 

With loud hosannas throuo-h the skies. 



rice's poetry. ^&7 

Ye saints dry up your tears and tell, 

Your Lord though dead in glory reigns; 

Sing how he triumphed over hell, 

And bound the tyrant death in chains. 

Say live forever King of kings, 

Strong to redeem, and born to save ; 

Say cruel monster " where 's thy sling ? 
And where 's thy vict'ry, boasting grave ? 



THE CHRISTIAN WARFARE. 

Arise, my soul, shake off thy fears, 
March in the road to endless joy; 

Let Gospel grace dry up thy tears. 
And songs to God thy praise employ. 

Thy sins and hell resist thy course ; 

But Jesus made them vanquish'd foes ; 
By his right arm they lost their force, 

When he from Joseph's tomb arose. 

Then my soul, march on the road. 
That leads thee to the heav'nly gate 

For thou hast lost sin's pond'rous load j 
And. shining angels for thee wait. 

For thee remains a starry crown. 
Made sure by God's eternal grace, 

Which saves thee from thy Savior's frown, 
And makes thee greet his comely face. 

Thou shalt reflect angelic light, 

And in God's full orbed glory soar; 

In him shalt lose thy mortal sight. 
And walk the ways of sin no more. 



THE WORLD BANISHED FOR CHRIST. 

Let carnal men the World pursue, 
Its bubbles strive to gain ; 



328 ^ rice's poetry. 

Yet they must feel their loss to roe ; 
For pleasure has its pain. 

As by the brightness of the mom 
The stars are all concealed, 

So ev'ry joy that 's earthly bom 
By death is made to yield. 

This World no longer shall restrain 
My roving heart from God; — 

The virtue of my Savior slain 
Shall save me from his rod. 

My Lord, I will be wholly thine. 

And live alone to thee ; 
Let thy salvation round me shine. 

Thy glory let me see. 

Though of all sinners I am chief, 

I cannot doubt thy love ; 
Thy saving arm shall send relief. 

And waft my soul above. 

The gems of earth are naught but dross^ 

They fly like chaff away ; 
Why then should I refuse the cross. 

And lose eternal day ? 



THE BLOOD OF JESUS. 

There is a healing fount of Blood, 
Drawn from the Savior's veins ; 

And sinners by that cleansing flood. 
Are washed from all their stains. 

God's servant Paul, rejoiced to see 
That fountain opened wide ; 

And there may I, as well as he. 
Find rest in Jesus side. 



hice's poetry. 329 

Dear Savior this, thy Blood divine 

Can't lose its power to save, 
'Till thy elect, as angels shine 

In triumph o'er the grave. 

Since I beheld the healing stream, 

That from thy side did flow, 
Atoning blood has been my theme, 

And shall, while here below. 

And when I lay my body down, 

And tread this earth no more, 
My soul through Blood shall wear a crown 

On Canaan's peaceful shore. 

There with the saints around thy throne, 

By thy rich Blood divine, 
I '11 sing the power of God, thy own. 

And feel salvation mine. 



INVITATION HYMN. 

Sinners, your Savior's voice obey ! 

His mercy speaks to you; 
He fain would have you in the way 

Of Gospel truth pursue. 

This earth is but a fading show, 
Its blossoms weep and die ; 

All joy is transient here below, 
But fadeless up on high. 

Like raging seas, devoid of peace, 
Your spirits have no rest ; 

Your sorrows like a flood increase. 
To wring your troubled breasts. 

Your way is verging on to hell ! 

Why not desert the path ? 
Can you with hostile demons dwell, 

And feel Jehovah's wrath ? 



330 rice's poetry. 

Why will you still in fjlly go, 
And drink the cup of sin ? 

Toil hard to reap eternal wo, 
And feel no peace within ? 

Draw near to Jesus, and his grace 
Shall make your spirits free ; 

Then you shall view his smiling face, 
And all his glory see. 



AMERICAN LIBERTY. 

To thee, our Father and our Friend, 

Our praises all belong : — 
From thy exalted courts descend, 

And bless our sacred song. 

Our fathers' voices joined in one. 
Their songs of freedom raised ; 

The same by us shall now be done J 
Thy name shall still be praised. 

Rich gifts from thy Almighty hand 
Are scattered far and free ; 

O'er lake and ocean, sea and land 
We do thy goodness see. 

Father, still bless our fruitful soil 
With tokens of thy grace ; 

May we in all our future toil 
Behold thy smiling face. 

But ah ! there 's one thing we confess. 
By which from Thee we stray ; 

'Tis slav'ry with its deep distress; 
'Tis hell's destructive way. 

Forgive that sin which binds the slave 

In bonds of deep despair; 
Teach us to live like freemen brave, 

To breathe one common air. 



rice's poetry. 331 

Shake off the negro's galling chain, 

Let hitn rejoice to know 
His freedom i'rom his master's reign, 

And tears shall cease to flow. 

Slavery ! no deeper stain but one 

Our records can disgrace ! 
My God devise what shall be done, 

To save our stubborn race. 

Let freedom's voice no longer sound. 

Until our slaves can feel 
Their chains have fallen to the ground. 

And we that truth reveal. 

Then shall our happy land no more 

Feel slav'ry's cruel blow ; 
But freedom's voice from shore to shore. 

In sweetest strains shall flow. 

The black and white shall then be free, 

Their Father to adore ; 
His righteousness they all may see, 

As did the Jews of yore. 

They all shall in one voice unite, 

To bless their native land ; 
Arid as soil owners they will fight, 

In one triumphant band. 



"GLAD TIDINGS." 

Great God, this universal earth. 

And all therein are thine ; 
In these we see thy matchless worth, 

In full orbed glory shine. 

But, Lord, thy greater gift has been 
Sent down to man from Heaven ; 

Which saves his marble heart from sin. 
And speaks his soul forgiven. 



332 rice's poetry. 

Lord, when shall tidings of thy grace 
Spread o'er this spacious ball, 

And save, through faith, our ruined race 
From their destructive fall ? 

When shall benighted Africa 

The Gospel truth enjoy, 
Her sable sons to Jesus pray — 

His praise their tongues employ ? 

When shall degraded Heathen all 
Bow at their Father's feet. 

And worship Him, whose gracious call, 
Can make their joys complete? 

Hasten, my Lord, that happy day, 
When ev'ry tongue shall tell, 

" Jesus has washed my sins away, 
And saved my soul from hell." 

Then shall the world to glory rise, 
And feel their Heaven secure ; 

On golden pinions wing the skies. 
While crowns of life endure. 



JULIZA, THE ADOPTED ORPHAN. 

Earth has no pleasure like thy notes my daughter, 
The sky no beauty like thy sparkling eye. 

No grace like 'hy cheek has the crystal water. 
The air no fragrance like thy heaving sigh. 

Thou art the boon to my rich fancy given. 
Type of all gems that glow with tenderness. 

What claim had I on this fond gift of Heaven, 
To dwell on earth my wounded heart to bless. 

I hail the glory of thy youthful gambols, 
The brightest lustre of thy morning sun ; 

In prayer I bear thee in m)'^ forest rambles 
To Him who has thy soul's salvation won. 



rice's poetry. 333 

Fairest of earth where didst thou learn that power 
Of music made by brook or feathered throng ? 

Where learn to love the wood-land and the flower, 
And chime in rapture all creation's song ? 

What mean those smiles thy rosy lips entwining, 
Thy sparkling gaze with gushing wonder fraught ? 

Why glow those eyes in full orbed glory shining, 
As if inspired by some celestial thought ? 

Kind angel guides have taught thee ways of win- 
ning, 

So as to make all sainted hearts secure ; 
How can I bend to earth and cleave to sinning, 

Since I am blest by one with love so pure ? 

It is with fearful joy my heart embraces 
Thy star-lit beauty with a trembling gaze ; 

My mind thy youthful pilgrimage retraces. 

And quails to think how short thy fleeting days. 

And yet methinks I can confide in Heaven, 
In Him who is the helpless orphan's shield ; 

He has to all his faithful promise given 

That will draw near to claim their pardon sealed. 

My God direct ' till days of earth are ended, 

'Till pain and joy shall cease her heart to thrill; 

Then may her harp with harps of Heav'n be blended, 
To chant with angels on Mount Zion's hill. 

There shall the sorrows of this world no longer 
Inspire her heart with pain and dying strife j 

Her mortal foes shall bow before the Stronger, 
Where ev'ry saint is swallowed up of life. 



334 bice's poetry. 



LOVE STRONGER THAN DEATH. 

The gloom of night was brooding o'er the world ; 
And time spread out his wings in search of prey ; — 
Seized his victim, — laid him on his couch, — soon 
To feel the pangs of dissolving nature, and 
Bow down in death's strong agony. It was 
The man of God laden with four score years. 
His head was silvered o'er ; for he had wrought 
In his Master's service more than half a 
Century. Night and day he ceased not to 
Cry from Zion's wall to tell the sinner 
Of his marble heart, and point him to the 
Ransom made for sin, and to Jesus the 
Only Savior of the soul. 

Deep silence 
Prevailed ! No voice of lamentation heard ; — 
No lukewarm prayers for mercy slighted long; 
No plea to stay the destroying angel; 
No frightful groans amid his mortal pain ; 
No cloud was brooding o'er his sky. His eye 
Was bright with celestial glory, and his 
Ear seemed to catch the sound of that angel's 
Wing, who came to bear him to the courts where 
God unveils his light — where saints in glory 
Bow, and all the upper host strike with joy, 
With bliss unspeakable their harps of gold. 

Full well he knew the fatal hour was nigh; 
His work was done. On his trembling frame prest 
Heavily the weight of years. Ah ! soon he 
Felt the chords of life would sunder; yet 
With anchor cast within the veil, he laid 
Him down to die. No fear disturbed his peace ; 
His faith was over Jordan cast, where all 
His brethren dwell. 

It was the house of death, 
Where ev'ry mourner bore a visage grave, 
And sobs of grief fast rose from broken hearts 



BICE S POETRY. 



33^ 



That formed the weeping group. Once more they 

prest 
Around his bed to view the object #f 
Their dying hopes, and catch the last glance of 
Their departing Sire. ' Twas then his heart moved 
To pity — his eyes filled with tears as he 
Looked around on his household band. ' Twas 
Then a shade o'erspread his dying features ! 
Parental affection moved his breast ; yet 
He pled not for longer life ; but gently 
Raised his hand to give the parting blessings 
And exclaimed, "I love my wife and children 
All, full well ; but more, far more I love my 
Savior." This was Love stronger than death, which 
Bore his spirit up to its native home. 




TIME'S DESTROYING FLIGHT. 

Night's dreary curtain shrouds the world, man in 
Sleep reposes — the din of action is 
Hushed to silence — the birds of heaven have 
Gone to rest ; the grazing herds that range the 
Lawn have laid them down to bathe in dews 
Of heaven, and watch the morning light : — the 
Knell of midnight, borne on the breeze tells of 
Days and years departed, and of the slaughtered 
Millions that sleep by Time's destructive flight ! 
Yet he moves on with his grisly form, and 
Like the snow-wreath from the lofty mountain 
Sweeps down his victims by his rapid car. 
And clothes the world in mourning for the slain. 



336 rice's poetry. 

' Tis midnight, and the moon-beams shine faintly 
On ocean, hill, and valley. Nature seems 
Wrapt in silence, and heeds not the victim's 
Groan, nor the warrior's tear. The leaves are 
Fast falling — the forest is naked for 
The vv^inter blasts — and icy bridges cross 
The silver streams. A calm o'erspreads the earth ! 
Silence prevails. But suddenly the w^ind 
Is hovirling — inspired with a furious 
Sweep — the forest bows before it — the domes 
Totter, while the minarets and bastions 
Tremble, as if struck by some terrible 
Blow ! yet ti ne moves on fearless of the scene 
Around, as if no devastation shook 
The works of nature — no pain was felt by 
Man. Lo, the sleeper rises from his couch — 
Feels the scourges of the storm, and flies for 
Refuge, but flies in vain — curses the day 
Of his existence, and in lost hope expires. 

Time sits on his iron throne, and sways 
The sceptre of his vast domain. He hurls 
His mortal darts — cuts down the fairest flowers, 
And holds the keys of earth's common tomb. Th« 
Gay, the sober, the rich and poor, the saint 
And seer, and all the nobles of the earth 
Have felt the torments of his baneful 
Sting, and gone to their dreamless slumber. The 

strong 
Gigantic form that seems to challenge his 
Gnawing tooth is driven like chaff" before 
The wind. The warrior that flies to arms, and 
Rushes to the battle field, hastens the 
"Wings of Time to drink his blood, and leaves no 
Laurels to grace his bones, fast bleaching on 
The soil of death. O Time ! remorseless Time ! 
Thy steps come silent on, surcharged with woe! 
Thou giant murderer ! the fiend of man, 
And his greatest dread. No power can stay 
Thy course, or make thy heart to bleed. Thy 



rice's poetry. 337 

Track is onward, and none shall be able 

To wear thy crown, and stop thy chariot wheels. 

The proud condor of the lofty Andes 
That soars oa high amid the vault of heaven, 
And with his pinions braves the fury of 
The tornado, or wings the blue ether 
Beyond the burst of lightning, or the 
Loud thunder's voice, when night comes on furls 

his broad 
Wing, and fast descends to the mountain top. 
But time desires no rest. Night's mid darkness 
Can find no chains his wings to bind. His strong 
Pinions rush over the world, which causes 
Revolution upon revolution. 
Like the frightful visions of the night, that 
Trouble the dreamer's heart. Cities rise and 
Fall like the ocean's waves. Islands of fire 
Spring up amid the mighty waters, and 
Sink beneath the surges of the deep. The 
Lofty mountains with their burning craters, and 
Sable cliffs have bowed to kiss the plains. New 
Kingdoms rise bound by the strength of ages ; yet 
They sink, like ships in the maelstroom, to be 
Seen no more. And those stars above, that gild 
The azure vualt, and with their gushing fires 
Form the amphitheatre of heaven, 
Like lamps of gold, shine from their vast abyss, 
Shoot from their sockets, and pass away in 
The trackless void of ether. Yet Time, the 
Grave-digger, holds his stiffened reins — winds up 
The sinner's probation — makes fast his chains, 
And sweeps him down with one ruthless blow, to 
Plunge the lake of fire, and wail wiih demons 
Lost, where mercy's voice shall never reach his 
Ear. All stern and fearless he falters not 
Amid the groans of victims — the crush of 
Matter, and the wreck of worlds ! but looks on like 
Other victors while sitting on his throne, 
Regardless of the ruin he has made. 

22 



► 



338 rice's poetry. 

My reader pause ! Time has not yet been thy 
Murderer; but soon must build thy tomb. The 
Moon may wax and wane — years may revolve, ere 
He shall cut thee down ; yet thy destiny 
Is sure. Time shall reign triumphant o'er 
Thrones and dominions — earth shall to him 
Bow. Thy soul shall survive the wreck of Time. 

If clad 
In divinity God will sustain thee, 
When the angel shall swear, " Time shall be no 

longer," 
Then shall immortality swell 
Thy bosom, and Time be exchanged for Heaven. 



DEATH OF JOHN QUINCY ADAMS. 

Death prevails. That aged Sire — our country's 
Friend, who for gone by years had pled within 
The Capitol — sustained our rights, our wrongs 
Condemned — beheld by many a sparkling 
Eye, — beloved by all who their country loved. 
But that well known voice shall plead no longer ! 
Those eyes no more brighten in prospect of 
Our country's welfare, or blaze with fearful 
Wrath on foes to God and man. That graceful 
Form no longer shall stand in the Congress 
Hall, and contend with giant intellect 
Petition's right — break down his foes— the flag 
Of Liberty sustain. His useful life 
Is ended, and his mortal remains have 
Been borne away to fill the gaping tomb. 

Death prevails. That heart which had long 
been raised 
To Heaven for our Liberty and Peace, shall 
Beat no longer. Tiiat living form which has 
Ever acted for the happiness of 
Man, has gone to its dreamless slumber. That 
Well known seat, which has been honored by one 



hick's poetry. 339 

Of the brightest Stars in our Union is 

Now vacant ; — no one to fill it, and say 

To the political tempest, "Peace, be 

Still!" The matchless Oracle of Freedom 

in that splendid mansion where he had 

So long sustained Truth and Justice, breathed his 

last I — 
A strong memento to his brethren of 
Their mortality. Silent mu;t that tongue 
Forever be, which spoke in wisdom's voice, 
And often hushed the storm that brooded o'er 
The Capitol. Death found him at his post, 
And quickly broke the golden chords of life 
In sunder ; yet with conscience clean before 
God and man, he met the grim Messenger 
Rejoicing — his dying thoughts were upward — 
Borne on heavenly zephyrs, they reached the courtc 
Above. His tongue palsied by the fatal 
Shock, gave its final utterance, "Tins is 
The last of earth — I am content." Soon the 
Dying si^ene was over — sighs followed sighs — 
Tears fell upon tears — and deep mourning in 
Solemn silence shrouded the Judgment Hall. 

Friend of Liberty, and of thy country 
Farewell. Rememb'rance shall long hold thee 
Dear in the land of thy nativity ; but 
Thy voice and thy presence shall be seen 
And heard no more. Farewell! 'till the crumbling 
Republics of time shall have passed away, 
And nothing shall endure, but treasures laid 
Up in God. Farewell I ' till the trump of the 
Resurrection morning shall awake the 
Sleeping dead ! then shall thy dust arise in 
The full bloom of immortality, and 
If clad in the robes of Divinity, thou 
Shalt hail the ransomed throng in endless life^ 
Meet thy Savior and thy Father in peace — 
Join the Republic of Heaven above — 
Confirmed by God around his shining throne. 



340 kick's poetry. 



MESSIAH. 

Ye sons of earth awake ! your fate deplore ! 
Fierce wrath of God for you is kept in store, 
A direful storm is gathered o'er your head, 
And waits to bear you to the silent dead: 
Your spirits by your ancient father slain 
Are fast approaching hell's eternal pain. 
The way to death is open far and wide, 
And thousands walk therein with rapid stride ; 
They live for woe — unconscious of their doom 
Until they plunge the spirit's final tomb ! 
The die is cast — God's law declares them dead. 
And pours its thunders on their guilty head; 
All hope is lost — the fallen sinner dies, 
With banished demons in deep anguish cries; 
Pours forth his wails, but finds no list'ning ear 
To cheer his heart, and wipe the falling tear; 
Mourns his sad fate — laments his father's fall, 
Which bound the chains of moral death on all, 
Shut out the spirit from its Eden sky, 
To feel the sword of vengeance from on high. 

My soul arise above this mournful strain ! 
Though man is lost, he may salvation gain. 
Hark ! hark ! I hear from angel courts above 
In songs of rapture — God's eternal love. 
Resounding through the upper worlds of light, 
Brought down to earth by seraphs' rapid flight, 
In chanting music to the shepherd's ear, 
To charm his soul, and drive away his fear. 
"Glory to God," in highest strains they sing, 
" To you this day is born a Prince and King," 
The Savior, who shall bind the sinner's foe. 
And all the works of darkness overthrow; 
The Son of God, who since has burst the tomb, 
And drove from man the shades of midnight gloom. 

Hail Mediator! man's eternal Rock! 
The living Shepherd of thy chosen flock; 
The Father's Son, by ancient bards foretold ; 



rice's poetry. 341 

The Man of God — the price of sin had sold ; 
In endless wonder, must thy love remain 
In ev'ry heart, since Thou lor sin wast slain. 

Lo in the garden I behold the Man, 
Ere he was taken by the wicked clan, 
Kneeling before his Father — hear him cry 
" Save from this hour !" for sin I groan and die ! 
But soon I hear the voice of God's dear San, 
" Except I drink this cup thy will be done." 
Judas the traitor stretches forth his hand. 
And gives the signal to the wicked band ; 
They bound the Savior — led him to the hall; 
Bearing the scofTs and infamy of all ; 
Condemned by man — by man was crucified ; 
For man he groaned upon the cross and died ; 
For man he prayed — the sun withdrew his light, 
Three hours refused to view the gloomy sight ; 
The rocks were rent — the Jewish Temple shook, 
When God the Son his dying clay forsook. 

Awake mj soul to that expiring groan, 
Which caused the earth in midnight shades to mourn; 
See the life-blood gush from the Savior's heart, 
Through ev'ry nerve he bears the cruel smart ; 
Behold him buried in the marble tomb, 
Where he partook the sinners' common doom. 
But short his stay — the angel from'the skies 
Rolled back the stone, and bid the Savior rise : 
His chains fell off — he burst the tyrant's seal. 
That he the wounds of sin and death might heal. 
Yet forty days, from earth he took his flight, 
Soared to the regions of his own delight ; 
There free from turmoil, death, and every pain. 
The true Messiah shall in glory reign. 



THE ANGEL BINDING BEELZEBUB. 

The lofty Angel from the Father's throne, 
Descends and enters through the gate alone ; 



342 niCE's POETRY. 

Inspired with pow'r from the exahed skies, 
He binds the Demon 'tiil the last revive ! 
On the dark pit he stamps the fatal seal, 
And drives the soldiers from the battle field ! 
Infernal foes, now sundered from their king, 
Flee from the earth, and leave the saints to sing 
The song- of vict'ry, by the cross unfurled — 
The restoration of a dying world. 

THE DYING SINNER. 
In that dread moment, how the frantic soul 
Raves through the walls of her clay tenement? 
Pressing to ev'ry avenue for help! 
But finds no plastic Sire ready to slay 
The enemy of man, or him disthrone. 
He comes in triumphant victory ! 
Sways the sceptre over all human flesh. 
He crops the bloom of life — the victim falls, 
And takes a realm in yonder sable tomb. 
But alas ! the soul with all her anguish ! 
How she shrieks under the fatal a^ony ? 
Much greater in the anticipation 
Of unerring death, that never expires. 
She heaves a si'gh, too big for utterance ! 
Yet a little longer, O might I stay ! 
To wash away forbidden stains, and fit 
Me for my passage ! but she cries in vain. 
The monster death, prevails in victory ! 
The edifice consumes, and lifeless falls ! 
While the immortal part, wings in quick flight 
To the gloomy mansion, or second death. 
To rise no more forever i * * * 



THE DRUNKARD'S EPITAPH. 

* * * * In infamy he dies ! 
The catalogue arose — the book appears — 
The Judge assumes his seat — awards are giv'n ! 



rice's foetrt. 343 

There stands trembling in anticipation 
Of his fearful doom — manacled in chains ! 
At length he hears the last sentence given — 
Proclaimed by Jesus, and its expelling force 
Drives him from the seat of justice, ever 
In that opaque region or second death, 
To dwell with the infernal ghosts of hell! 
He heaves a groan that never can expire. 



REDEMPTION. 

How shall I announce this theme, that 
Dares the pen of angels ? Its height 
So ample mounts beyond my thoughts — 
Retires in depths of eternity. 
By that veils 'vhich shuts from me the 
Vast infinite of the -great I 
AM, and drowns my senses in the 
Tracing search of what the ample 
Theme demands. Redemption ! it came 
From Heaven. It rears the hell-bound. 
Spirit tinctured by the fall, to 
The abode of smiling angels. 
O, may I breathe as long as breath 
Is given, in adoration to Him 
Who waded hell's vast abyss, and 
Slew the strongest foe. " Adore Him 
All ye nations ! Praise Him all ye 
People," with harps well tuned by strings 
Imbued in his atoning blood. 



HE GAVE UP THE GHOST. 
The work is finished — He bowed his head- 
Gave up the Ghost, and left his mangled 
Body on the purple tree. What spear 
Is this that drank his blood — blushing with 
Crimson from his heart ? Lo the soldier 



344 kick's poetry. 

Wades in a Savior's gore — compressd with 
A garment dipt in Adam's fall — shuts 
The gate of mercy's voice ; and sheds no 
Mourning tears. Here, my soul ! let all 
Thy passions roll! Here drink the balm 
That cheers the mind — ^dispels all sin, and 
Stamps the soul for Heaven. * * 



THE SPIRIT'S GRAVE. 

I hear the fun'ral dirge of spirits damned, 
And see the fiery waves around them roll ; 
Forever burning, yet never consumed ! 
Always expiring, but shall never die ! 
There groan in quick succession follows groai>. 
And sorrow treads on the heels of sorrow ! 
There sighs are raging in the troubled heart, 
And scalding tears from eyes that ever weep 
Distil the lake of fire with devils damn'd ! 
There mercy never sees or feels the woes 
And lamentations of the dying soul. 



ON THE DEATH OF SOPHIA B. HUBBARD. 

My harp awake ! put forth thy mournful strains 

To swell the dirge of one whose fleeting years 

Are numbered, and whose lifeless clay slumbers 

In the tomb. She was the object of a 

Father's love, and the rich jewel of a 

Mother's heart. They had watched her youthful days 

And marked her path with kindness, until the 

Age of womanhood graced her comely form. 

But soon mortality wound up the chain, 

And earth's frail victim fell. Death sundered wide 

The husband and the wife, and closed the scene 

Forever. 

The day ere she died, all seemed 
Well. Heahh was smiling on her cheek, and for 



bice's poetry. 345 

Aught was known on earth, might live for many- 
Years. But the angel of death had spread his 
Speedy pinions, and in quick flight urged his 
Way to the sad victim's heart — dried up the 
Sanguiferous tide ; the arterial 
Action grew weaker, and yet weaker still ; 
At length her heart gave its last faint motion, 
And all was silent as the house of death ! 
Then dust returned to dust, and the soul to 
God that gave it. 

Around her dying couch 
Stood her husband and her friends, unwilling 
To let her go. With anchor cast within 
The veil she had hope in death, and gave them 
Her last faint warning; " This is the end of 
Life ! Soon like me you must feel dissolving 
Nature ! Prepare to meet your God." Then came 
The angel of the everlasting Word, 
And bore her away from the building of 
Mortality up to the spirit land. 

Deep silence prevailed ! and naught was heard but 
The broken wails and sobs of wounded hearts. 

Our friend is gone. Her face we 'II see no more. 
Earth was too low a realm for her soul — made 
Free by Jesus' Blood. Torn from all below 
She took her flight in the morn of life to 
The abode of angels ; and left her friends 
To verge the gaping tomb. No pain shall swell 
Her bosom — no tears of grief, no sighs of 
Woe. Death struggles have passed away, and her 
Mental powers the avenues of supreme 
Delight. Sainted spirit, farewell. No more 
Shall we meet on earth. Heaven grant that we 
All may meet in thy church triumphant, there 
Surround the Tree of Life, and pluck the fruit 
By which immortal spirits live on high. 



346 rice's poetry. 

THE ASCENSION OF THE SON OF GOD. 

From toil, reproach, deep sighs, and mortal groans, 
The Victim breaks the fetters of the tomb, 
And soars in triumph to his Father's throne. 
Daughters of Jerusalem, weep ! begin 
Your deep toned wail of woe ; for his fair eyes 
Of mercy shall no longer weep for you 
At Salem's gates. Your day of his gracious 
Visitation is passed away ; the night 
Of solemn darkness clouds your sky ; 
The long night of centuries yet to come. 
Charged with the incensed anger of your God. 
Your widows are now forsaken ; for the 
Sweet voice of Jesus no more shall dry up 
Their funeral tears, nor awake their loved 
Ones from the slumber of the grave, until 
That great day, when all the sleeping dead shall 
Obey the voice of God's exalted Son. 

He rose at the morning watch, when from the 
Walls of ancient Solyma — the bliss of earth. 
Night's weary watchers from their posts had fled. 
The orient light had just begun to 
Dispel Judea's nocturnal shades. In 
The city, deep silence prevailed, save the 
Murmur of Kidron's stream, or the 
Loud scream of the soaring eagle, as he winged 
In triumph above the Temple's lofty 
Dome, toward the fading stars, losing their 
Light by fulgency of morn ; prophetic 
Bird against Jerusalem. Did He rise ? 
The marble tomb — the massy stone — Cesar's 
Seal — Pilate's men of war — myriads of 
Angels lost, and death itself, no longer 
Could hold the Prisoner. The angel 
Of the everlasting covenant flew 
From the portal of the skies ; deputized 
By Him, who is the resurrection and 
The life, sundered the icy chains of death— 



rice's poetry. 347 

The Victim rose, while soldiers lay like dead 
Men round the tomb of God's eternal Son. 

Soon as the sacred gates were opened wide, 
Jesus advances to the holy mount, 
To return no more, until the hostile 
Jews confess their smitten Lord. His chosen 
Flock now with him journey on, winding their 
Way with anxious step and eager thought, while 
Each by turn converses on the faith of 
Israel's ransom, and the incessant reign 
Of God's dear One on David's vacant throne. 

The morning sun in all his splendid rays 
Shone bright, as when it first on Eden rose. 
The midnight dews that fell on Zion's hill, 
Had met the sunbeams in a flood of tears, 
Yet the Jews remained unconscious of their doom, 
As if no wrath for them was kept in store ; 
Their eyes were closed, they spurned to see him rise, 
Who claimed the glory of His Father's throne. 

Awhile they toiled, and gained the mountain's top 
And viewed the choicest scene of Jacob's land. 
A cloud appeared of unknown brilliant light, 
Calmly descending from the upper skies. 
To bear away the everlasting God. 
The steeds and chariots of the Lord were there, 
Flaming with angelic charioteers. 
That choir which sung creation's morning song. 
Again had passed the golden gates of Heaven, 
To hail the Savior to his native land. 

It was the most peaceful hour earth's Stranger 
Ever knew, since the squadron of angels 
Broke the morniriir slumber of the shepherds 
Of Bethlehem. His toils had passed away — 
His deep agony for sin was over — 
Joseph's tomb had given up its Victim — 
The crown of thorns had dropp'd from his temples — 
His wounded hands and bleeding side were stanched; 
The scourge remained in the judgment hall — 
The bloody cross had fallen to the ground : 



•■348 rice's poetry. 

Yet never to be forgotten ; but to 
Stand as the signal of sm's last hope, 'till 
The angel of the resurrection morn, 
Shall swear by Him that liveth forever 
And ever, " Time shall be no longer." 

Fort}'- days had passed away, since from his 
Pale temples and lifeless clay. He shook the 
Damps of his dreary sepulchre; and by 
The power of his redemption, destroyed the 
Gloomy grave of its triumph — placed its 
Keys in his woun.led side — ror-e immortal — 
Was death's last plague — the Grave's exulting King. 

The time of separation was nigh at hand; 
And the dread of parting filled ev'ry heart. 
Now near his spotless face they pressed, once more 
To see the matchless beauty of their Lord, 
And share his blessings ere they sighed farewell. 
He raised his sacred hand.-?, and waved them o'er 
His loved disciples — strange joy filled their hearts ; 
And while he yet spoke, an ambient cloud, 
Surpassing the sun's midday glory, bore 
Him above this nether world, on the wings 
Of his Divinity, to the mansions 
Of his Father's everlasting kingdom. 



MY SISTER'S EXIT. 

She was her father's youngest child; 
The jewel that lay near his heart. 
From the time when light on her first 
Began to dawn 'till the day of 
Her departure, she claimed his fond 
Embrace. But dust returned again 
To dust ; for the rose-bud only 
Bloomed to die — the flower was cut down 
Ere the sun had reached its zenith; 
And her lily cheeks — her coral 
Lips — her sparkling eyes, and graceful 



RICii a POETRY. S4d 

Form, were wrapped in death's forgetful 

Sleep. That heart which had propelled the 

Sanguiferous tide stood still, tired 

Of its labors — gave its la.st faint 

Motion, and all was deep silence, 

Save the bitter sobs of those who 

Stood around her bed, and witnessed 

Her last groans, while her temple to 

Its centre shook, as her spirit 

Took its everlasting flight ! Hark ! 

No more I hear those groans. That tongue 

Which once did speak as the spirit 

Gave it utterance, shall speak no 

More. Those limbs, so active in all 

The vigor of youth, have lost their 

Motion — have gone to fill the grave — 

To be the property of worms — 

To return from whence they came, and 

Wait the resurrection trumpet. 

When God's dear children shall awake 

From their dreamless slumber. Then if 

Rescued in the arms of that Friend 

Thou didst profess to love, thou shalt 

Be borne above the starry lamps. 

And far beyond the blue abyss, 

And all the planetary worlds ; 

Fast by the Tree of Life, where thy 

Redeemer lives, God will set thee 

Down, where thou shalt pluck celestial 

Fruit, and both soul and body drink 

The cup of salvation from the 

Healing streams of thy Father's kingdom. 

Farev.-ell departed worth ! until 
I too shall plunge the dreary tomb — • 
Through centuries be forgotten ; 
Yet not by God ! for his eye will 
Be on all the sleeping dust of 
His dear loved ones, until that time 
Shall come by his unchanged decree, 



360 rice's poetry. 

When man's frail dust shall rise — with soul 
Unite, never to part again. 
Farewell ! until the angel shall 
Descend the skies deputized by 
God, with one foot on sea and one 
On land, and swear by the living 
Monarch of Heaven and earth, " Time 
Shall be no longer." Farewell 'till 
The fires of the resurrection 
Morning shall thwart the azure vault 
With a gloomy magnificence — 
The world catch the calid flame — the 
Oceans dry by earth's volcanic 
Groans, and all the elements of 
Nature be wrapped in the ruins 
Of the last day ! Then if hid in 
God's pavilion, we '11 soar above 
Conflicting elements — bid earth 
Farewell — enter the portal of 
Heaven, and feel the raptures of 
Eternal life ! There the palsied 
Tongue, loosed from the chains of the grave, 
Shall shout in triumph over hell 
And death — bid grief and pain adieu- 
Ascend God's living temple on 
Mount Zion's hill — catch the fire 
Of seraphim and cherubim, and 
Sing the anthems of an endless 
Day. Glorious hope ! My sister. 
Shall I meet thee there — behold thee 
Face to face ? where tears shall never 
Fall — where the heart shall never beat 
With anguish — nor the bosom swell 
With pain? * * * ♦ ♦ 



rice's poetry. 351 

MY FATHER'S EXIT. 

Full four score years had passed away — the morn 
Of life was nigh forgotten, and the full 
Orbed sun of the aged Sire had long since 
Lost his meridian glory — soon passed 
The western horizon, to rise no more. 

Blest with long life, and health for many years, 
His days of youth, and middle age, were crowned 
With plenty, and rejoicing: yet not all; 
For earth's pleasure has its pain. The cares of 
That household band — his to administer, 
And his to sympathize ia joy or woe, 
Oft intruded on his peace, and made his 
Heart to bleed — his eyes to weep. Two friends he 
Had, joined in wedlock's band, and both consigned 
To fill the gaping tomb. In death he closed 
The eyes of an infant son, and daughter 
Of riper years. He was no stranger to 
The cares and ills of life, which oft intrude 
And blast earth's brightest joys. 

Pain had seldom 
Pierced his frame, 'till one score years before his 
Death. From thence the ills of life, and length of 
Days pressed heav'ly upon him, and cast a 
Gloom o'er life's approaching eve. But the scene 
Is over. All earth born weal or woe, with 
Him are ended, like the dreamer's visions 
Of the night. The palsied shock froze the life 
Current of his heart — stilled ev'ry nerve, and 
Closed the scene forever. 

As his eyes grew 
Dim, his fiesh wasted, and pulse fast throbbing 
By approaching death, I saw no proof in 
Nature's book of immortality! but 
Dust returned to dust. His mind the second 
Time became infantile, and all the pow'rs 
Of man seemed lost in the oblivion 
Of the grave. But hope revives. In the light 



352 rice's poetry. 

Of the Gospel I see vict'ry written 
On the tomb by Him who broke the monster's 
Chains, and became the first fruits of them that 
Slept. Jesus has brought immortality 
To light — declared in man a living soul — 
A Heaven to gain — a hell to shun — a 
Judgment, by which he will declare the fates of 
Men. My Father, I leave thee in the hands 
Of Him, before whose face we all must meet, 
And live or die according to our deeds. 

My soul put on thy watch ! Learn thou full well 
From such departed worth thy certain doom, 
And prepare to meet thy God. Then shall it 
Be well Avith thee when death shall end thy course ; 
For thy treasure will be that of angels, 
And thy song the song of the ransomed ones, 
That gather fruit from Life's fair Tree in Heav'n. 



THE WRECK OF THE STEAMER SWALLOW. 

Dark was the night ! the tempest howled, 
And midnight gloom shut out the light, 
And o'er the waters spread her wings, 
As the Swallow moved swiftly on. 
The crew no danger dreamed, but passed 
Their hours in gayety and mirth. 
Thoughtless of death and judgment near 
At hand. But alas ! the Steamer 
Left her wonted course — the pilot 
Saw no light to direct her in 
Safety down the stream — suddenly 
She struck the dire rock, which her in 
Sunder broke — it was the rock of 
Death to many of her crew. 

Hark ! I hear the frantic cry, " Save ! 
Save from this mortal element — 
This unexpected grave." For some 
The prayer was heard, while others more 



ricb's poetry. 363 

Unfortunate closed their eyes in 
Death, and sunk beneath the direful 
Surges of the deep. I heard the 
Female's frantic shriek for help ! but 
She cried in vain. Fate had struck the 
Blow too deep — the die was cast — the 
Fatal hour had come by sorrow's stern 
Control, when mortals must close their 
Eyes and plunge the region of a 
Pulseless sleep. Then all was silent 
Save the rushing crew and howling 
Winds that swept the dismal wreck ! The 
Dark waters o'erspread the victims' 
Grave ! The scene was big with horror ! 
Tears from their crystal fountains flowed 
And wet those eyes scarce known to weep. 



THE MOTHER'S DEPARTURE. 

Months and years rolled on — the playful days of 
Childhood had passed away, and were only 
Known by retrospection. Womanhood now 
Graced her comely form — health smiled upon her 
Cheek, and all the glory of youth sat on 
Her brow — emblem of earthly bliss and length 
Of years. But how false the omen ? The bow 
Was already drawn — the arrow pointed 
To the heart — it pierced the victim, and she 
Fell a prey to death — to feed the loathesome 
Worm — to turn to dust, and fill the narrow 
House ; which is the direful curse of sin. 

Her vows of matrimony were pledged, and 
The bridal hour was nigh at hand. Fond hope 
Inspired her bosom, but how false ? how vain 
That fancy which moved her heart ? Unguarded 
By wisdom's voice, she fell a victim with 
Thousands more, to poverty, sufferings, 
And untimely death. Fancy's dreams, regardless 
23 



354 rice's poetry. 

Of prelibation, soon destroyed the rich 
Visions cf her soul. Better had she dwelt 
Alone — better had she never been called 
Mother. Years passed away — children were born, 
Then misery's strong fetters followed to the 
Tomb. Disease, slow in its progress, yet sure 
In its aim, seized her vitals — the hectic . 
Flush was on her cheek — her ruby lips were 
Blasted' — her eyes in wild appearance rolled — 
Her heart digressive in its action, beat 
With hastened motion, until nature was 
Overcome, and the poor sufferer died. 

In her last mortal agony, methinks 
I hear her faint whispers, " Jesus is my 
Hope ! through faith he bears me up ; and now as 
I plunge the cold waters of death, I feel 
Myself safe in Zion's ship, and soon shall 
Brave the breakers, and scale the highlands of 
Heaven." "Father, into thy hands I commit 
These little ones thou hast given me ; for 
Thou hast promised to be the orphan's God." 
Having thus closed the dire scene, her heart gave 
Its final motion, and her spirit took 
Its everlasting flight I * * * * 

How changed thy realm ? For if Jesus is thy 
Friend, angels are thy sister spirits — the 
Song of Heaven is thy song, and the New 
Jerusalem is thy dwelling place. Here 
Thou didst reside in an humble mansion — ' 
No vestments of grandeur attended thy 
Lonely pilgrimage — by the rich, the wise, 
And noble of this Avorld, thou wert not known: 
But if known by Jesus — the sinner's Friend, 
Thou shalt be borne on wings of cherubim 
Far above the frail grandeur and riches; 
Of earth, to dwell in thy Father's kingdom— 
To be adorned with glory in endless 
Life. And as the foolish rich man, who has 
No. treasure laid up in God, wails in his 



rice's poetry. 355 

Prison-house of woe, among angels lost, 
Thy heart shall swell in rapture with kindred 
Spirits in the fair climes of Heaven, and 
Chant the anthems of thy Savior's love ! Joy 
Of celestial origin shall fill thy 
Soul, where drops of mercy ever fall, and 
Waves of grief shall wave no more. 
***** Farewell, sweet 
Songster! Rich grace now tunes thy golden harp- 
Grace that cost thy Savior's agony in 
Gethsemane — his death-groans on the mount 
Of Calvary, and all his suflferings 
Through this vale of tears. Farewell until thy 
Slumbering dust shall hear the trumpet's voice 
Of the first resurrection, and awake 
In all the beauties of eternal life. 
In shouts of triumph o'er the final tomb. 
Farewell ! until the red lightnings of 
Earth's final dissolution, shall fire these 
Heavens, darkened by the wrath of God, because 
Of sin, and shake the world with the terrors 
Of the last judgment. Farewell! until all 
That sleep in earth's common grave, shall hear the 
Voice of God, and receive the just rewards 
Of Eternity ! then shall we meet again. 



THE LAST GREAT DAY. 

Ye harps of angels, beirin your mournful 
Dirge in tones of woe. The jubilee is 
Passed away ; the day of mirth is over ; 
Soon past ; for joy counts not her fleeting years. 
Satan's chains have fallen, and wars prevail ; 
Violence, revelry and sedition 
Are heard in the streets ; while murder, revenge, 
And intoxication, destroy the bliss 
Of life, and shake the world with dying groans. 
Servants of the living God, put on the 



356 kice's poetry. 

Helmet of salvation — gird up your loins 

With truth — add the shield of faith, and hold fast 

The sword of God : watch and pray, for the Day 

Is nigh at hand — the day for which earth from 

Chaos rose — for which angels and men were 

Made — the great Day of God's exalted Son. 

Ye fallen angels, thrust in your sickles 

And reap — the harvest of sin is fully 

Ripe, and vengeance begins to tread the great 

Winepress of God Almighty's wrath ; for the 

Rich blood of mercy shall plead no longer. 

Hark ! methinks I hear creation's dying 

Pangs. From whence that cloud of darkness — 

those peals 
Of thunder and chains of lightning, that rend 
The air, and shake the world ? Why does the sun 
Withdraw his light — the moon wade in blood, and 
As blasted figs the lamps of heaven fall ? 
From whence these yells of wo — the funeral 
Dirge of the sinner's lost hope — his dying 
Wails, which tread on the heels of sorrow, that 
Never end ? Jesus comes in the car 
Of his Divinity ! but how changed ? how 
Unlike the man that died on Calvary ? 
No crown of thorns, and bloody scourge, besmear 
His back and sacred temples. He comes in 
The robes of his glory, at whose presence 
The earth is wrapped in flames of fire, and whose 
Power of dissolution makes creation weep. 
The angels of death now flap their baneful 
Wings and range the putrid air in search of 
Prey. The mountains quake, and all the stars of 
Heaven grow dim in lamentation for earth's 
Final groans — sadly revealing their 
Creator's wrath. The loud thunder utters 
His voice, chiming the ocean's troubled roar. 
The long night has come — the dark night of lost 
Spirits, that knows no breaking, no Son of 



kick's poetrt. 357 

God to cheer its gloom. Heaven's long spurned 

justice, 
Now claims her rights. Earth, bow thyself before 
The Lord, and cry for mercy ; for thou art 
Growing old in sin, and all thy glory 
Mourns, and bleeds, and dies. Thou flaming king of 
Day, whose solar light has stood the test of 
Ages, put on thy weeds of mourning ; and 
Thou queen of night, begin to drop thy tears. 
Ye stars ! kind sentinels of heaven, that wing 
Your flight through the fields of ether, and dance 
Along the pavements of the blue sky — sweet 
Watchers of earth, prepare your winding sheets — 
Your lamps are growing dim — your disease is 
Mortal — your graves are dug, and God's angels 
Are now ready to bear you to the tomb. 

Where is the choir of God's elect, that dwell 
On earth or Heaven, whose harps shall sing the 
Dying world asleep, and weep behind the 
Funeral of the stars ? What chord shall string 
Your harps, what strains of mourning, what signs of 
Woe, shall tell the deep toned wailings of the 
Damned, and utter forth the plaintive dirge 
Of spirits lost in hell's eternal fire ? 
Far on the left of God's exalted Son, 
I see the dark cloud of fallen spirits 
Hover over the gloomy pit : Mercy 
Withdraws her arm — they sink amid the shrieks 
Of angels lost, where their portion must be 
Scalding tears — the curse of lost hope, and the 
Red glare of undying flames. * * * 



THE LAST DECISION. 

****** Fatal vision ! 
Methought I stood before the judgment seat, 
Naked and pale, the last unsentenc'd sinner; 
On either side a dread array of angels. 



358 kick's poetry. 

Pure as their Ci'eator— ^sunder'd wide 
The righteous and the wicked. In the midst, 
Glorious in his wrath, appeared the Judge ! 
Doom'd in my consfiem-.e, scarce dar'd I to lift 
My eyes to meet his visage, lest his glance, 
Instant, should hurl me to perdition. 

The books lay open — how my spirit shook 
As list'ning myriads piled on myriads round, 
Expectant stood. On the left, dark demons 
Longing to grasp their prey, and mock and curse 
Another being ever doom'd to share 
Their own unutterable agonies ! 
There a bright band, waiting to strike their harps, 
And hail another soul to endless life. 

I heard the irrevocable sentence ! 
'Twas just ! Instant the never dying worm 
Of keen remorse stuck deep his gnawing fangs 
Within my tortur'd bosom, then the flame 
Of unextinguishable suffering 
Intensely burnt around' — -upon— ^within ; 
At that moment the bright seraphic band, 
Shrouded from my sight — was gone forever ! 
Oh, as it passed away, and the dark veil 
Of everlasting blackness drew around, 
I heard the enchanting, blissful harmony 
Of those who soar'd to happier regions ! 
Music sweeter than the exquisite tones 
Produc'd on earth — but each enthrilling note 
Vibrated on my ear with thrilling pangs 
Damned spirits only feel. * * * 

TRUTH AND UNIVERSALISM CON- 
TRASTED. 

UNIVERSALISM. 

When oceans waste and skies in smoke decay. 
Rocks turn to dust and mountains sink away, 
In pond'rous chains shall death be ever bound. 
And hell's grim tyrant feel his dying wound. 



rice's poetry. 359 

But Satan's children reach the heavenly shore, 
To reign in bliss, their father see no more ; 
The raging drunkard shall to glory reel, 
And concubines eternal pleasures feel. 
Bless'd are the misers who depress the poor, 
For they unbounded riches shall secure ; 
Bless'd are all those who scoff at truth divine, 
For all revilers endless glory find. 
Happy those virgins that no oil possess'd, 
For they shall dwell in heaven with the bless'd 
Bless'd are all felons, who desire to find 
A chance for robbing and to cheat mankind ; 
Such die to live, for God to them has given 
A right to steal, and then to enter Heaven. 
Bless'd be the man whose bowels never move 
With Gospel mercy or with filial love ; 
Bless'd all those warriors who rejoice to fight, 
From seas of blood they soar to worlds of light. 
Go sinner, riot, every crime pursue. 
For crowns of glory shall be sav'd for you ; 
Fear not to walk in sin's polluted way ; 
Live as you please, you '11 gain eternal day. 
The Infidel, who has his Lord denied. 
And all the Gospel treasures long defied. 
Dies without faith, )-et soars to worlds on high, 
Where saints are bless'd and angels never die. 
Serpent of old, thou gav'st a just reply 
To ancient Eve, " Ye shall not surely die." 

TRUTH. 

But let my reader, in the fear of God, 
Leave the broad road in which the devil trod! 
With Satan's lies the Savior's truth compare, 
And see if all men endless glory share. 
The adamantine sinner must go down, 
In chains of hell must be forever bound, 
Except he to his Lord and Savior flies. 
Repents of sin and labors for the skies. 
But why do men the Bible truth deny ? 



3l^ kice's poetrt. 

The imprecations of God's word defy ? 
Evade that part which justly damns the soul? 
Believe a lie, that mercy saves the whole ? 
False faith, indeed ! for such no proof is given, 
By Gospel news sent down to man from Heaven. 
This is the faith congenial to the heart, 
Built up by Satan, to deceive a part ; 
Until the pulse of life by death expire, 
The culprit lost in hell's eternal ire. 
Awake ! O reader, in God's truth believe ; 
The Devil's falsehood can but make you grieve : 
Hold fast true faith, while mercy's arms extend, 
And rise to glory when your life shall end ; 
For if there is a New Jerusalem, 
Where servants of the Lord are gathered home, 
There is a hell where waves of terror roll, 
Destroy the sinner and torment the soul. 
Devils and men may lead mankind astray, 
Add to God's word and from it take away ; 
Yet they no portion in life's book shall claim, 
But down must sink amid the burning flame. 
' Reader, beware ! upon this life depends 
Abodes of glory or a place with fiends: 
Repent, believe, obey high Heaven's command, 
And dwell with angels in fair Canaan's land. 
If in the world of woe, where devils groan. 
And damned spirits do their case bemoan, 
Thy soul shall enter — no Savior shall appear 
With news to pardon, or rich grace to cheer. 
All hope is lost, thy spirit ever dies, 
Reflects on mercies past, pours forth her cries. 
Wails in lost hope, but finds no listening ear 
To calm her waves and chase away her fear. 



rice's fobtrt. 361 



HOPE. 

All cheering Hope ! rich Gem in Heaven bom ! 
Reviving minstrel of the soul forlorn ; 
While sunk beneath affliction's pond'rous thrall, 
Clothed in deep mourning with the fun'ral pall ; 
When borne beneath oppression's direful rod, 
Hope leads the pris'ner in the road to God. 
While death's dark curtain spreads its dreary sway, 
And earth-born light withdraws her faintest ray ; 
When chills of death-sweat on the brow shall stand ; 
And lips fast trembling by the tyrant's band ; 
When all the powers of life sink in the tomb, 
And turn to slumber in the primeval gloom ; 
Hope points the soul across deep Jordan's wave, 
And buoys her up in triumph o'er the grave ; 
Empowers the spirit as the eagle's flight, 
To mount the regions of eternal light. 

When man shall hear the trumpet's awful sound, 
And wake from his long slumber under ground ; 
When rocks shall melt and earth's last embers die. 
And vengeance thunder from the exalted sky ; 
All nature tremble at the direful rod, 
Obey the mandate of Almighty God ! 
Hope then shall set the ransomed pris'ner free, 
And give him fruit from Life's immortal Tree ; 
Shall cheer his spirit as she onward flies. 
Through realms of bliss, while groaning nature dies. 
When sinners lost shall plunge the fires of hell, 



r362 kick's poetkt. 

With taunting demons must forever dwell ; 
The pilgrim's Hope shall swell the ransomed song, 
And worship God among the heav'nly throng ; 
The bread of life shall cheer his deathless soul, 
While angels live and crystal waters roll. 

From whence this Hope for mortals frail as man ? 
From whence the source this blazing star began ? 
Awake my soul, on mercy's pinions fly. 
And view the Victim who for man did die ; 
See through (he medium of Mount Calvary, 
By faith's strong hold the sons of men are free ; 
See through those wounds that run in streams of blood, 
The soul 's redeemed and learns the way to God ; 
View the deep groans across the Kidron stream, 
And nature mourning at the direful scene ; 
Hear the last sigh, which heaved the Savior's breast, 
That man might live in Heaven with the blest. 
Here Hope began — rich jewel born on high; 
Inspires the soul with joys that never die ; 
Sets free the pris'ner from the wails of hell ; 
Makes meet the spirit with its God to dwell. 

Martyrs of Jesus — ransomed friends of Heaven, 
Confirmed in Hope — for truth your lives were given ; 
Through seas of blood you 've gained the port of rest, 
Have braved the foe, and with your master blest. 
No more you 're called to wade sin's raging flood ! 
No more shall Satan's children drink your blood ! 
No more shall fiends of God your bosoms swell, 
With deep-toned anguish from the waves of hell ! 
Your race is run — all tears are wiped away, 
And Hope shall mingle with eternal day ! 
The bliss of angels shall your souls inspire. 
While God shall reign, and demons rage in fire ! 
While Hope expiring shall your foes destroy. 
You '11 shout exemption in a world of joy ; 
On angel's pinions take your deathless flight, 
And feel the raptures of immortal light. 



INDEX, 



ORATIONS. 



Oratorical Introduction, 

On Intemperance, 

On War, 

On rhe Atonement, 

On Christ's Second Coming, 

On Slavery, . 

Missionary Call, , 

On Autumn's Fading Glory, 

The Devil's Preaching, 

The Author's Faith, 



POETRY. 



All Things Mortal, 

Adoration and Prayer, . 

Appeal for Missionaries, 

Acrostic on J. N. Maffitt, 

John Summerfield, 
John Whitefield, . 
Henry B. Bascom, 
Lydia H. Sigourney, 
Lorenzo Dow, 
Sir Isaac Newton, 
Edward D. Griffin, 
Eliphalet Nott, 
John Milton, 

Address to the Youth, . 

Acrostic for a Brother, 

Adam's Fj^U and Restoration, 

A Morning Hymn, 

An Evening Hymn, 

Atheism Confuted, 

Angels Bear me Home, 

American Liberty, 

Christ's Invitation to Sinners, 

Convulsions of Nature, 

Christ's Resurrection, . 



3 

6 

25 

55 

75 

105 

116 

126 

131 

142 



189 
159 
192 
220 
221 
227 
232 
238 
252 
258 
268 
271 
292 
261 
265 
263 
277 
278 
285 
301 
330 
174 
197 
200 



364 



Come to the Waters, 

Christ's Crucifixion, 

Christ's Agony in the Garden, 

Christ's Death and Resurrection, 

Charity, .... 

Caution to the Reader, . 

Comfort in Death, 

Christian Friendship, 

Children should Love each other, 

Desire of the Soul, 

Death, ..... 

Destruction by Time, 

Destruction of Sodom, . 

Decision of the Judge, . 

Darkness Shrouds Jerusalem, 

Death of John Quincy Adams, 

Epitaph, 

Free Grace, . 

Faith, . 

Faith is our Guide, 

God, . 

God is Love, 

God Manifest in the Flesh, 

God's Omnipresence, 

Grieve not thy Mother, 

God the Everlasting Light 

God Rules the Ocean, . 

God's Omniscience, 

God my Refuge in Distress, 

God seen in the Oceans, 

God Wortiiy of Praise, 

" Glad Tidings," . 

Honor thy Father, 

Hymn of Praise, , 

He Gave up the Ghost, 

Hope, 

I will not let Thee Go, 

It is Well, . 

I am with You, 

In God is my Salvation, 

" I am the Resurrection and the L 

Invitation Hymn, . 

Jesus Wept over Jerusalem, 

Jordan's Cold Stream, . 

Jesus' Love Stronger than Death, 

Jesus, the Star of Eternity, • 

Jesus the Crown of my Hope, 

Jesus our Hope in AfHiction, . 

" Jesus," .... 

" Jesus Wept," 



fe.» 



365 



Juliza, the Adopted Orphan . 

Lord Remember Me, 

Love Saves the Sinner, . 

Love Stronjier than Death, . 

Missionary Hymn, 

Man's Life Passeth Away, . 

Mourning Pilgrims, 

MuComb and McDonough's Victorj 

My Muliier's Exit, 

My Birth Day, 

Messiah, .... 

My Sister's Exit, . 

My Father's Exit, 

Noah's Dove, 

No Rest on Earth, 

None but Jesus, 

On Spring, .... 

On the Death of a Relative, . 

On the Death of my Daughter, 

On the Death of Sophia B. Hubbard, 

Poetical IntroducfJon, 

Prayer for Restoring Grace, 

Proof of God's Existence, 

Petition for Grace, 

Pardoning Grace, 

Peace, be Still, 

Prayer in Sickness, 

Perils of the Ocean, 

Prayer for Salvation, 

Prayer in Ailliction, 

Prayer, .... 

" Praise the Lord," 

Regeneration, 

Retrospection, 

Rejoicmg of Angels, 

Religion, .... 

Redemption, 

Seeking God Early, 

Saints Around the Throne, . 

Salvation by the Cross, . 

Spiritual Worship, 

Shall the Sword Devour Forever ? 

Salvation by the Gospel, 

Spurn not the Sinner, 

Song of the Redeemer, 

Sabbath Morning Hymn, 

The Final Wreck of Worlds, 

The Colporteur's Message 

The Christian's Hope of Heaven, 

The Final Judgment, . 



366 



The Farmer's Consolation, 
The Christian Martyr, . 
The Temperance Flag, 
The Laborer's Lamentation, 
The Flowers of the Field, 
The Power of the Gospel, 
The Mother's Twin Sisters, 
The Magnetic Telegraph, 
The Spirit's Ascension, . 
The Judgment Day, 
The Saint's Victory, 
The Crucified, 
The Promontory of Life, 
The Last Supper, . 
The Millennium, . 
The Scenes of Calvary, 
The Organization of Worlds, 
The Star of Bethlehem, 
The Favor of God, 
The Victor from Edora, 
The Ruius of Canaan, . 
The Rod, 

The Rock in Mid Ocean, 
The Loafer's Lamentation, 
The Sepulchre, 
The Bliss of Heaven, 
The Joys of Heaven. 
The Author's Acrostic in Pri 
The Curse of War, 
The Backslider's Return, 
The Love of God, 
The Falls of Niagara, . 
The Saint's View of Heaven 
The Penitent's Prayer, 
The Curse of the Law, 
The God of the Tempest, 
The Sailor Boy, . 
The Dying Christian, 
The Land of the Free, . 
The Frantic Lover in search 
The Only True God, . 
The Grave, . 
The Mourner's Petition, 
The Sinner's Prayer for Salvi 
The Christian Pilgrim, 
The Temperance Strain, 
The Dying Saint's Petition, 
The Waters of Salvation, 
The Beggar's Lamentation, 
The Better Choice, 



ayer, 



f a Wife, 



367 



The Battle Field, • 

The Sabbath School, 

The Warrior's Daath, . 

The Crowns of Heaven, 

The Power of God, 

The Mental Powers of Man, 

The Lord's Prayer Versified, 

The Christian'sFarewell, 

The Day of Grace, 

The Gold of California, 

The Backslider's Secret Prayer, 

The Righteousness of Christ, 

The Christian Warfare, 

The World Banished for Christ, 

The Blood of Jesus, 

The Angel Binding Beelzebub, 

The Dying Sinner, 

The Drunkard's Epitaph, 

The Spirit's Grave, 

The Ascension of the Son of God, 

The Wreck of the Steamer Swallow 

The Mother's Departure, 

The Last Great Day, . 

The Last Decision, 

To the Drunkard's Memory, . 

To an Absent Wife, 

To the Memory of Dr. Young, 

Time and Immortality, . 

Terrors of Death, 

Time's Destroying flight. 

Truth and Umversalism Contrasted, 

Washington's Funeral Dirge, 

What is" Man ? 

What Man was That ? . 

What is Hell ? 

Watch and Pray, . 



299 

300 

304 

305 

306 

309 

316 

317 

318 

319 

321 

324 

327 

327 

328 

341 

342 

342 

344 

346 

352 

353 

355 

357 

168 

240 

255 

297 

308 

335 

358 

152 

179 

302 

311 

321 



3l|.77-9 



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